Localization and functional significance of signal substances in the urogenital tract

1.解剖阴茎海绵体供血神经，在双目显微镜下观察其走行和分布。这些信息将有助于在手术中保留勃起神经。用免疫组织化学和原位杂交方法检测阴茎神经中VIP的表达和阳萎患者的变化。通过一氧化氮合酶免疫组织化学检测，在盆神经节中发现了产生NO的神经，这是另一种导致勃起的信号物质，该神经节将免疫反应纤维延伸到海绵体。在阴茎窦内皮细胞中也发现了一氧化氮合酶，提示神经元和内皮细胞在阴茎勃起过程中存在相关性。用海绵体组织片进行的体外实验表明，VIP和乙酰胆碱对海绵体的平滑肌肉起松弛作用，这种作用依赖于睾酮，而被肾上腺素收缩，表达α1肾上腺素受体。人体生殖器官的放射免疫分析表明，精巢中的VIP含量低于PACAP，而精囊中的NPY含量较高。P物质和CGRP免疫组织化学显示尿路内有密集的感觉神经供应。它们主要分布在骨盆和输尿管的平滑肌肉中，但也分布在尿路的上皮中。这些神经的基本作用是感官，但据推测，它们参与调节前器官的蠕动运动和激起后器官的性感觉。

1. Nerves supplying the corpus cavernosum penis were dissected and observed with a binocular microscope and their precise course and distribution were demonstrated. This information will contribute for preserving erectile nerves in surgery.2. VIP, one of the transmitters involved in erection, was examined by immunohistochemistry and by in situ hybridization with regard to its occurrence in penile nerves and to the changes in cases of impotence.3. Nerves producing NO, another signal substance causing erection, were identified, by immunohistochemical detection of NO-synthase, in pelvic ganglia which extended immunoreactive fibers to the corpus cavernosum. NO-synthase was recognized also in sinus endothelium, suggesting a correlation between neurons and endothelial cells in penile erection.4. Experiments in vitro using tissue pieces of cavernous body indicated that smooth muscles of the cavernous body relaxd by VIP and acetylcholine, this effet being demonstrated to be testosterone-dependent, while contracted by adrenalin, expressing alpha1 adrenalin receptor.5. Radioimmunoassay of human reproductive organs indicated that the testis contained not so much VIP as PACAP and that the seminal vesicles were characterized by high content of NPY.6. The urinary tract was shown by immunohistochemistry for substance P and CGRP to be densely supplied by sensory nerves. They are distributed mainly to smooth muscles in the pelvis and ureter, while into the epithelium in the urethra. The essential role of these nerves is sensory but presumably they are involved in regulation of peristaltic movement in the former organs and in provoking sexual sensation in the latter.