Human spinal ejaculation generator

Abstract

Organization and sexual dimorphism of human spinal galaninergic neurons were similar to the rat's SEG. Neurohistological data, together with clinical results, corroborate the existence of an SEG in humans in L3-L5 segments. Such a generator could be targeted to treat neurogenic and non-neurogenic ejaculatory disorders. ANN NEUROL 2017;81:35-45.

Reduced segregation and integration of structural brain network associated with sympathetic and dorsal penile nerve activity in anejaculation patients: a graph‐based connectome study

“…The phase of expulsion is controlled by the parasympathetic and somatic nervous system, as well as the perineal muscles (Alwaal et al ., ; Clement & Giuliano, ; Chéhensse et al ., ,b). The events of peripheral neural system are under the control of spinal centers including the spinal generator of ejaculation (SGE) (Chehensse et al ., ; Chéhensse et al ., ,b; de Rodríguez‐Peña et al ., ), which is regulated by the excitatory and inhibitory inputs from the brain (Qin et al ., ; Zhang et al ., ; Atalay et al ., ; Xu et al ., ). Therefore, the brain is also responsible for these two phases and it is especially involved in the pleasant sensation produced by the orgasm reaction (Flannigan et al ., ; Wise et al ., ).…”

“…The process of emission is under the control of sympathetic nervous system, which allows the closure of bladder neck and promotes seminal fluid to posterior urethra (Hong et al ., ; Zhang et al ., ,b). The phase of expulsion is controlled by the parasympathetic and somatic nervous system, as well as the perineal muscles (Alwaal et al ., ; Clement & Giuliano, ; Chéhensse et al ., ,b). The events of peripheral neural system are under the control of spinal centers including the spinal generator of ejaculation (SGE) (Chehensse et al ., ; Chéhensse et al ., ,b; de Rodríguez‐Peña et al ., ), which is regulated by the excitatory and inhibitory inputs from the brain (Qin et al ., ; Zhang et al ., ; Atalay et al ., ; Xu et al ., ).…”

Lumbar spinal cord neurons putatively involved in ejaculation are sexually dimorphic in early postnatal mice

“…The latter finding led to the current use of the acronym “LSt” (lumbar spino‐thalamic) when referring to this specific group, even if, to the best of our knowledge, evidence that all member neurons project to the thalamus is still missing (as acknowledged by Nicholas et al, ). Homologous populations of galaninergic neurons were also found in the cat (Arvidsson et al, ) and, recently, in humans (Chéhensse et al, ). LSt neurons are now thought to be a key component of a SGE (Clement & Giuliano, ; Veening & Coolen, ), which makes them an important target of investigation.…”

“…An additional characteristic of LSt neurons, consistent with their role in sexual function, is that in adults they are more numerous in adult males than females as assessed by galanin, CCK, or GRP expression in rats (Newton, ; Phan & Newton, ; Sakamoto et al, ) and galanin in humans (Chéhensse et al, ). Like the well‐known sexual dimorphism of perineal motoneurons (Breedlove & Arnold, ), that of the LSt population is regulated by androgen receptors, since rats with the testicular feminization mutation (Tfm) displayed hyper‐feminine numbers of LSt neurons (Newton & Phan, ; Sakamoto et al, ).…”

“…The expression of ejaculation and the coordination of the various motor nuclei are controlled by a dedicated premotor network, the spinal generator of ejaculation (SGE), largely localized in the lumbar enlargement. Evidence in support of this includes, in men, the capacity to ejaculate in patients with complete spinal sections above T12 but not when the lesion involved the lumbar cord (Chapelle, Roby‐Brami, Yakovleff, & Bussel, ; Chéhensse et al, ). Furthermore, in spinalized rats electrical microstimulation in a restricted volume around the central canal between L1 and L5 evokes the full ejaculatory pattern (Borgdorff, Bernabé, Denys, Alexandre, & Giuliano, ).…”