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Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subtypes in the Male Reproductive Tract

Expression and Function in Rat Efferent Ductules and Epididymis

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Abstract

In mammals, at least five different muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes (mAChRs; M1–M5) are known to be widely expressed and distributed in different tissues from different species. They mediate distinct physiological functions according to their location and receptor subtype. Multiple events are associated with the regulation of intracellular signaling by mAChRs, and a coordinated balance of the molecular mechanisms governing receptor signaling, desensitization, resensitization, and mitogenic signaling is known to occur in various cell types. Most of the actions of acetylcholine (ACh) in the male reproductive tract are induced by its effects on mAChRs, but the role of specific mAChR subtypes on male reproductive function and fertility are still not well understood. The rat efferent ductules and epididymis are androgen-dependent tissues of the male reproductive tract, with important roles in the process to form a viable and fertile sperm. In the present study, aspects of the expression, localization, and potential function of mAChR subtypes in rat efferent ductules and epididymis are reviewed. Furthermore, evidences for the implication of mAChRs in the regulation of protein synthesis and secretion in these tissues are presented. Taken together, the studies contribute to our understanding about physiological aspects of mAChR and mechanisms by which the cholinergic system affects male reproduction.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP). C.S.P. and M.C.W.A. were research fellows from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico (CNPq). Fellowships were supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES; E.R.S. and F.Y.) and FAPESP (E. M.). We thank E.M.J.S. Santos and M. Silva for technical assistance.

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  1. Section of Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Três de maio 100, INFAR, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, São Paulo, 04044-020, Brazil

    Maria Christina W. Avellar, Erica R. Siu, Fabiana Yasuhara & Catarina S. Porto

  2. Centro de Ciências Médicas, Instìtuto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Prof. Herman Pìres de Mello 101, São Domingos, 24210-130, Niteroi, RJ, Brasil

    Elisabeth Maróstica

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  1. Maria Christina W. Avellar
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Proceedings of the XIII International Symposium on Cholinergic Mechanisms

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Avellar, M.C.W., Siu, E.R., Yasuhara, F. et al. Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subtypes in the Male Reproductive Tract. J Mol Neurosci 40, 127–134 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-009-9268-6

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