Oxytocin‐induced contractions within rat and rabbit ejaculatory tissues are mediated by vasopressin V1Areceptors and not oxytocin receptors
Open accessAbstract
Background and purpose: Oxytocin is believed to be involved in ejaculation by increasing sperm number and contracting ejaculatory tissues. However, oxytocin may mediate these effects via oxytocin or vasopressin (AVP) receptors. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oxytocin and AVP on peripheral tissues involved in ejaculation and to identify the receptor subtype(s) involved. Experimental approach: Standard tissue bath techniques were used to measure isometric tension from tissues involved in ejaculation and erection. Key results: Oxytocin and AVP failed to elicit a tonic contractile response in rat and rabbit testes, vas deferens, epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate. In contrast, oxytocin and AVP elicited large tonic contractions in erectile (corpus spongiosum and corpus cavernosum) and ejaculatory (prostatic urethra, bladder neck and ejaculatory duct) tissues in a concentration‐dependent manner. The selective oxytocin agonist, [Thr 4,Gly 7]‐oxytocin and the V 2 agonist, [deamino‐Cys 1,Val 4,D‐Arg 8]‐vasopressin (dDAVP), failed to contract tissues. Oxytocin and AVP‐induced contractions were weakly antagonized by the selective oxytocin antagonist, L‐368899 but potently antagonized by the V 1A antagonist, SR49059. The V 1B antagonist SSR149415 failed to antagonize AVP contractions except in rabbit bladder neck. Neither L‐368899 nor SR49059 antagonized endothelin‐1‐induced contractions. Conclusions and implications: The contractile effect of oxytocin on rat and rabbit ejaculatory and erectile tissues is mediated via V 1A receptors. Endothelin‐1‐induced contractions are not due to endogenous oxytocin or AVP release. V 1A receptor antagonists may have a therapeutic role in both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)155, 118–126; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.226; published online 16 June 2008
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Several previous studies suggested that the effects of oxytocin and vasopressin result from activation of the opposite receptor.
“This concept is not new; several previous studies suggested that the effects of OT and AVP are a result of the activation of the ‘opposite’ receptor (4,80,86-89).”
From Comparative Perspectives on Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptor Research in Rodents and Primates: Translational Implications (2016) · cites this paper as [87]
These effects of OT and AVP can be inhibited by selective V1aR antagonists but not by OTR antagonists.
“These effects of OT and AVP can be inhibited by selective V1aR but not OTR antagonists.”
From Cross-talk among oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin receptors: Relevance for basic and clinical studies of the brain and periphery (2018) · cites this paper as [39]
Peripherally administered OT and AVP produce similar effects in reducing heart rate and body temperature, inducing contractions in ejaculatory tissues, and promoting seizure susceptibility in male rats and rabbits.
“Peripherally administered OT and AVP produce similar effects in reducing heart rate and body temperature, inducing contractions in ejaculatory tissues, and in promoting seizure susceptibility in male rats and rabbits [37; 38; 39].”
From Cross-talk among oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin receptors: Relevance for basic and clinical studies of the brain and periphery (2018) · cites this paper as [39]
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“This concept is not new; several previous studies suggested that the effects of OT and AVP are a result of the activation of the ‘opposite’ receptor (4,80,86-89).”
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- Authors
- Gupta, J., Russell, R. J., Wayman, C. P., Hurley, D., & Jackson, V. M.
- Affiliations
- Pfizer (United Kingdom) (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Jackson, V M
- Venue
- British Journal of Pharmacology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2008-09
- Volume
- 155
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 118-126
- ISSN
- 0007-1188 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5381
- PMC
- PMC2527840
- OpenAlex
- W1996521541
- Cited by
- 66
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 7.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- British Journal of Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Keywords
- oxytocin, vasopressin V1a receptor, vasopressin, ejaculation, erectile tissue, corpus spongiosum, corpus cavernosum, bladder neck, prostatic urethra, vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate, testis, endothelin-1, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Arginine Vasopressin, Urinary Bladder, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Ejaculation, Genitalia, Male, Hormone Antagonists, Male, Muscle Contraction, Muscle, Smooth, Oxytocin, Rabbits, Urethra, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Receptors, Vasopressin, Receptors, Oxytocin, Endothelin-1, Rats
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