Effects of tactile and electrical stimuli upon release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the mammalian penis

in Journal of Endocrinology
Authors:
A. F. Dixson
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K. M. Kendrick
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M. A. Blank
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S. R. Bloom
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.1000249
Volume/Issue:
Volume 100: Issue 2
Article Type:
Research Article
Page Range:
249–252
Online Publication Date:
Feb 1984
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ABSTRACT

Plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the corpora cavernosa penis and dorsal penile veins greatly exceeded those measured in the limb or caudal veins during anaesthesia in various mammals (Bennett's wallaby, Barbary sheep, cheetah, puma, sooty mangabey, pigtail macaque and chimpanzee). Tactile stimulation of the penis immediately before or during collection of blood samples resulted in an increase. In the wallaby, VIP levels (mean ± s.e.m.) in blood samples collected from the flaccid penis in the absence of tactile stimulation were very low (0·6 ± 0·5 pmol/l). A 36-fold increase in VIP occurred after manual extension of the flaccid penis (24·8 ± 3·2 pmol/l) or during manually stimulated erections (25· 1 ± 1·7 pmol/l). Electrical stimulation of erection produced no significant increase in VIP levels (2·3±0·9 pmol/l) unless accompanied by tactile stimulation (17·5±1·4 pmol/l). These studies provide the first demonstration that sensory feedback from the penis plays an important role in regulating vasoactive intestinal polypeptidergic activity. Since VIP is a potent vasodilator its release due to tactile stimuli during copulation may play a role in the maintenance of penile erection.

J. Endocr. (1984) 100, 249–252

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Print ISSN:
0022-0795
Online ISSN:
1479-6805
Page(s):
4
Article Type:
Research Article
Print Publication Date:
01 Jan 1984
Online Publication Date:
Feb 1984