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Objective To determine the distribution and patterns of contained NPY co-localized with either VIP or NOS, with minor populations containing CGRP and/or GAL. THco-localization of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), neuropeptides and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in intrinsic and substance P (SP) -IR nerves were not observed subepithelially. Perivascular nerve plexuses were mainly nerves of the human post-natal vas deferens and seminal vesicle.formed by TH-IR varicose nerves, most of which contained co-localized NPY and CGRP, with a smaller proMaterials and methods Double and triple immunolabelling methods were used in tissue from 10 male infants portion containing NPY and NOS and minor populations containing VIP, m-ENK, SP or GAL. and children (age range 2 months to 3 years) obtained at post-mortem examinations carried out within 12 hConclusion These results indicate that the autonomic control of the human vas deferens and seminal vesicle of death. Results Most nerves supplying the muscle coat of either is provided by several immunohistochemically distinct nerve populations. Furthermore, NOS is present in a organ were TH-immunoreactive (-IR), most of which also contained neuropeptide Y (NPY) while a smaller proportion of both the noradrenergic and nonnoradrenergic nerves. Pharmacological studies are proportion contained both NPY and NOS. Minor populations of the TH/NPY-IR intramuscular nerves connow required to elucidate the precise roles of nitric oxide and neuropeptides in the functional control of tained calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), galanin (GAL), met-enkephalin (m-ENK) or vasoactive intestinal these organs. Keywords Vas deferens, seminal vesicle, neuropeptides, polypeptide (VIP). Non-TH-IR intramuscular nerves were relatively infrequent and most contained NPY and either nitric oxide synthase, tyrosine hydroxylase, human VIP or NOS. Presumptive secretomotor nerves formed subepithelial plexuses in both organs, most of which seminal vesicle [3,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. As in other organs, these

(i) From 13 weeks gestation autonomic nerves develop in the muscle coat of the fetal seminal vesicle and vas deferens, being denser in the seminal vesicle than the vas deferens up to 23 weeks gestation. (ii) The majority of the intramuscular nerves in either organ contain D beta H, TH, NPY and ENK and are presumably noradrenergic in type. (iii) A subepithelial nerve plexus develops around 20 weeks gestation and contains NPY but not VIP, unlike the adult organs. (iv) Scattered neuroendocrine cells immunoreactive for SOM are present in the mucosa of the seminal vesicle from 23 weeks of gestation.

The bladder detrusor possesses a rich autonomic innervation by 17 weeks of gestation and this presumptive cholinergic innervation is associated with NPY immunoreactivity. Presumptive noradrenergic nerves appear relatively late in pre-natal development and mainly supply the intramural ureters and superficial trigone. A submucosal plexus of nerves has been demonstrated, the functional significance of which remains uncertain.