Pharmacology in Vitro of the Human Vasa Deferentia and Epididymis: The Question of the Endocrine Control of the Motility of the Male Accessory Genitals

Abstract

In vitro studies were made on the effects of pharmacological substances upon the contractility of longitudinal segments of human vasa deferentia and epididymes. The organs were dissected, stripped of surrounding tissue, and transferred to a beaker containing 50 to 80 cc. of oxygenated Locke''s soln. (pH 7.4-7.6) which was kept at a temp. of 36.5[degree]-39[degree]C. The addition of the following drugs provoked contractions: epinephrine, ephedrine, barium chloride, acetylcholine, his-tamine, hydrastinine, nicotine, cocaine and pilocarpine. Pituitrin and pitressin excited the vasa deferentia but pitocin was inactive. Pituitrin and pitressin were inactive in the epididymis. Cocaine sensitized the organs for the action of epinephrine and physostigmine and prostigmine sensitized for the action of acetylcholine. Atropine, papav-erine and spermine had an inhibitory action upon the contractions either spontaneous or provoked by other drugs. Epinephrine, after previous treatment of the organs with yohimbine, ergotamine or bulbocapnine gave negative or inhibitory effects. Following excision the vasa deferentia remained viable for 18 days and the epididymes for 16 days.