('pA2'= 8.74) compared to blood pressure ('pA2'= 7.51). 6 Data in this study suggest that the a, adrenoceptor mediating noradrenaline-induced contractions of human prostate, whilst having some of the characteristics of an a1A adrenoceptor, cannot be satisfactorily aligned with cloned IxIA, I IB or cID adrenoceptors. In addition, studies in the anaesthetized dog have shown that agents having high affinity and selectivity for prostatic a, adrenoceptors, particularly over the alD subtype, appear to inhibit phenylephrine-induced increases in prostatic pressure selectively compared to blood pressure.

Bladder outlet obstruction can be associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A reduction in prostatic smooth muscle tone provides a means of improving the obstructive symptoms associated with BPH. This unit presents methods for studying prostatic pressure in both the anesthetized and conscious dog. In both models, the primary determinant is the measurement of experimentally induced changes in intra‐urethral prostatic pressure. The protocols allow measurement of the effects of compounds on agonist‐ or nerve‐stimulated prostatic contraction in vivo. Th conscious dog model has two potential advantages over the anesthetized preparation: it can be used for oral dosing of test compounds and it allows measurement of the effects of test compounds on postural hemodynamics under conditions where reflexes are not compromised by anesthesia. In all the protocols in this unit, measurement of Bladder outlet obstruction can be associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)