Skip to main content
Log in

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide levels and distribution in the penis of old rats

  • Published:
Journal of Neural Transmission Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) levels and distribution were studied in the penis of young-adult (3-month-old) and old (30-month-old) Wistar rats by radioimmunoassay and immunofluorescence. No significant changes in tissue VIP concentrations or distribution occurred in the penis of old rats compared to young-adult rats. The present data indicate that the age-related impairment of male sexual function is not dependent on modifications of the VIP-ergic innervation of penile tissue.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andrew WG (1971) The anatomy of aging in man and animals. Grune and Stratton, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg BN (1967) Longevity studies in rats. II. Pathology of ageing rats. In: Cotchin E, Roe FJ (eds) Pathology of laboratory rats and mice. Davis, Philadelphia, pp 749–852

    Google Scholar 

  • Besson J, Laburthe M, Bataille D, Dupont C, Rosselin G (1978) Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP): tissue distribution in the rat as measured by radioimmunoassay and by radioreceptorassay. Acta Endocrinol 87: 799–810

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burgi H, Hedinger C (1959) Histologische HodenverÄnderungen im hohen Alter. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 89: 1236–1240

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coons AH (1958) Fluorescent antibody methods. In: Danielli JF (ed) General cytochemical methods. Academic Press, New York, pp 399–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowe R, Lincoln J, Blacklay PF, Pryor JP, Lumley JSP, Burnstock G (1983) Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-like immunoreactive nerves in diabetic penis: a comparison between streptozotocin-treated rats and man. Diabetes 32: 1075–1077

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dail WG, Moll MA, Weber K (1983) Localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in penile erectile tissue and in the major pelvic ganglion of the rat. Neuroscience 10: 1379–1386

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harbitz TB, Haugen OA (1972) Histology of the prostate in elderly men. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand [A] 80: 756–761

    Google Scholar 

  • Larson JJ, Ottesen B, Fahrenkrug J, Fahrenkrug L (1981) Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the male genitourinary tract: concentration and motor effect. Invest Urol 19: 211

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mainwaring WIP, Brandes D (1974) Functional and structural changes in accessory sex organs during aging. In: Brandes D (ed) Male accessory sex organs: structure and function in mammals. Academic Press, New York, pp 469–480

    Google Scholar 

  • Masters WH, Johnson VE (1970) Human sexual inadequacy. Little, Brown, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson S (1962) The human seminal vesicle. A morphogenetic and gross anatomic study with special regard to changes due to age and to prostatic adenoma. Acta Chir Scand [Suppl] 296: 5–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Ottesen B, Wagner G, Virag R, Fahrenkrug J (1984) Penile erection: possible role for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide as a neurotransmitter. Br Med J 288: 9–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Polak JM, Gu J, Mina S, Bloom SR (1981) VIPergic nerves in the penis. Lancet ii: 217–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Said SI, Mutt V (1970) Polypeptide with broad biological activity: isolation from small intestine. Science 169: 1217–1218

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steger RW, Peluso JJ, Bruni JF, Hafez ESE, Meites J (1979) Gonadotropin binding and testicular function in old rats. Endokrinologie 73: 1–12

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steger RW, Huang H, Meites J (1981) Reproduction. In: Masoro EJ (ed) Handbook of physiology in aging. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Timiras PS (1972) Developmental physiology and aging. Macmillan, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Willis T, Ottesen B, Wagner G, Sundler F, Fahrenkrug J (1981) Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) as a possible neurotransmitter involved in penile erection. Acta Physiol Scand 113: 545–567

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Willis E, Ottesen B, Wagner G, Sundler F, Fahrenkrug J (1983) Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) as a putative neurotransmitter in penile erection. Life Sci 33: 383–391

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Amenta, F., Cavallotti, C., De Rossi, M. et al. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide levels and distribution in the penis of old rats. J. Neural Transmission 70, 137–143 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01252515

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01252515

Key words

Navigation