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Immunocytochemical localization of galanin in the rat male and female genital tracts and motor effects in vitro

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Author

Summary, in English

Galanin, a recently discovered neuropeptide, was studied in the rat male and female reproductive tracts by immunocytochemistry and in vitro pharmacology. Nerve fibers containing galanin immunoreactivity were most abundant in the female paracervical tissue, where they surrounded non-immunoreactive ganglion cells. Galanin nerves were also found in the uterus and Fallopian tubes, as well as in the vas deferens. When tested in vitro galanin contracted the smooth muscle of both the uterine horn and cervix. Galanin also slightly potentiated the response to electrical field stimulation in preparations from the uterine cervix and vas deferens, but it had no effect on the seminal vesicle. Galanin-(1-10), an N-terminal residue of galanin, also contracted the uterine horn, though higher concentrations were required. The neurally induced contractions were not influenced by galanin-(1-10) in any of the smooth muscle preparations tested. The muscle receptors mediating the direct contractile effects in the uterine horn seem to require the N-terminus of galanin, while the neuromodulatory effects on the electrically induced contractile activity seem to need the C-terminal part or the whole galanin molecule. Galanin may thus function as a neuromediator in the rat male and female genital organs.

Department/s

Publishing year

1988

Language

English

Pages

335-343

Publication/Series

Regulatory Peptides

Volume

20

Issue

4

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Elsevier

Topic

  • Cell and Molecular Biology

Keywords

  • Galanin
  • Neuropeptide
  • Male and female genital tracts
  • Uterus
  • Vas deferens
  • Seminal vesicle
  • Smooth muscle
  • Immunocytochemistry
  • In vitro pharmacology

Status

Published

Research group

  • Urogynaecology and Reproductive Pharmacology
  • Neurogastroenterology
  • Drug Target Discovery

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1873-1686