Reserpine induced supersensitivity to norepinephrine (NE) in rat vas deferens was sought by alteration of Mg++ and Ca++ concentration in incubation medium in the absence and presence of EDTA. Vas deferens incubated in Mg++ free and Mg++ excess media showed supersensitivity and subsensivity to NE respectively. Alterations in the sensitivity to NE produced by varying the concentrations of Mg++ we...

The ryanodine receptor (RyR) in aortic and vas deferens smooth muscle was localized using immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy. Indirect immunofluorescent labeling of aortic smooth muscle with anti-RyR antibodies showed a patchy network-like staining pattern throughout the cell cytoplasm, excluding nuclei, in aortic smooth muscle and localized predominantly to th...

To assess the role of the P2X1 receptors (P2X1R) in the longitudinal and circular layers of the human vas deferens, ex vivo-isolated strips or rings were prepared from tissue biopsies to record isometric contractions. To ascertain its membrane distribution, tissue extracts were analyzed by immunoblotting following sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. ATP, alpha,beta-methylene ATP, or electrica...

OBJECTIVE To examine purinergic signaling in human vas deferens. DESIGN To study contractile responses of the scrotal vas deferens. SETTING Research department of a university teaching hospital. PATIENT(S) Undergoing vasectomy or orchidectomy (aged 27-88 years, n = 14). INTERVENTION(S) Vasectomy or orchidectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Strips of vas deferens were suspended in an organ...

Aquaporins (AQPs) are small, intrinsic membrane proteins that are present in many cell types involved in fluid transport. AQP9 is a major apical water channel that is expressed throughout the efferent ducts, epididymis, and vas deferens, as well as in other regions of the human and rodent male reproductive tract. The target of this study was to examine the expression of AQP9 in epithelial cells...

45Ca2+ uptake and efflux studies were performed on membranes prepared from dog mesenteric artery and rat vas deferens. Oxalate-stimulated, ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake in microsomal vesicles, a property characteristic of sarcoplasmic reticulum, was completely inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by cyclopiazonic acid (0.1-30 microM) and thapsigargin (10 nM-10 microM). Using discontinuous ...

Using the compound Styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) as a model of a drug, a novel approach for sustained endogenously formed liposome encapsulated drug delivery to the prostate gland has been evolved. Intra vas deferens depot of a combination of high molecular weight SMA (SMAh, the drug) and low molecular weight SMA (SMAl) is formed by one time injection. The SMAh breaks down sperm membrane to pr...

N,N-Diallyl derivatives of enkephalin analogues were chemically synthesized, and their biological activities were estimated in vitro isolated preparations. N,N-Diallyl-[D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin [test compound I] at doses up to 10 microM did not inhibit the electrically-evoked contractions of guinea-pig ileum, which had been suggested to contain opioid mu- and kappa-receptors, but it significa...

Heptanol and 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (18 beta GA) block gap junctions, but have other actions on transmitter release that have not been characterised. This study investigates the prejunctional and postjunctional effects of these compounds in guinea pig and mouse vas deferens using intracellular electrophysiological recording and confocal Ca(2+) imaging of sympathetic nerve terminals. In mic...

We report true duplication of the vas deferens found at routine inguinal hernia repair. This rarity is described in the context of the embryologic model for other vas abnormalities.