Oxytocin, oxytocin-associated neurophysin and the oxytocin receptor in the human prostate

Whittington, Kate; Assinder, Steve; Gould, Maree; Nicholson, Helen

doi:10.1007/s00441-004-0968-5

Cited by 52 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Immunohistochemical demonstration of oxytocin is usually coupled with that of its carrier molecule neurophysin I in order to prove local production of the peptide [6,7,13]. In our experiments, specific oxytocin labeling of granules and Golgi apparatus could indicate that the peptide follows the common intracellular route of secretion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

“…In addition, a number of functions are thought to be regulated by local oxytocinergic systems, since oxytocin production has been documented in peripheral tissues [5]. In the male genital tract, paracrine secretion of oxytocin has been suggested in the testis, epididymis and prostate [1,6,7], where many functions such as cell growth, spermiation, steroidogenesis and muscle contraction could be affected [7][8][9][10]. Furthermore, seminal plasma also contains oxytocin, whose functional role still is uncertain [11][12][13].…”

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confidence: 99%

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Oxytocin Immunoreactivity in the Human Urethral (Littre's) Glands

Isola

Cossu

Lisa

et al. 2010

Journal of Reproduction and Development

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Abstract. Oxytocin is a cyclic nonapeptide whose best known effects are stimulation of uterine smooth muscle cells during labor and of milk ejection during lactation. Circulating oxytocin originates from the hypothalamus, but its production has also been documented in peripheral tissues. Furthermore, seminal plasma also contains oxytocin, but its functional role is still unknown, although its secretion is generally ascribed to the prostate. In this study, we investigated the possibility that seminal oxytocin is also secreted by other exocrine glands of the human male genital tract. Intramural (Littrè's) glands isolated from bioptic specimens of normal urethrae were processed for immunogold localization of oxytocin. Immunostaining was detected in principal cells, with gold particles specifically found on secretory granules. Basal and endocrine cells were unstained. The present findings suggest that urethral glands not only produce the mucinous layer that protects and lubricates the urethral wall, but also are potential sources of other seminal components, such as oxytocin, which probably play still unclear roles in reproductive physiology. Key words: Immunogold, Oxytocin, Urethral glands (J. Reprod. Dev. 56: [94][95][96][97] 2010) xytocin is a nonapeptide in which a disulfide bond between cysteine residues confers a cyclic structure. Its action is mediated by a transmembrane polypeptide receptor coupled with a G protein pathway, widely distributed throughout the human body [1,2]. Oxytocin is mainly studied as a hypothalamic hormone as well as vasopressin, from which it differs in two amino acids only. The best known biological effects of circulating oxytocin are those on female reproductive organs, such as stimulation of uterine contractions and of milk ejection. Moreover, effects on organs of the male genital tract have also been documented, such as penile erection and ejaculation [3,4]. In addition, a number of functions are thought to be regulated by local oxytocinergic systems, since oxytocin production has been documented in peripheral tissues [5]. In the male genital tract, paracrine secretion of oxytocin has been suggested in the testis, epididymis and prostate [1,6,7], where many functions such as cell growth, spermiation, steroidogenesis and muscle contraction could be affected [7][8][9][10]. Furthermore, seminal plasma also contains oxytocin, whose functional role still is uncertain [11][12][13]. This peptide is believed to originate from the prostate [1], but it could be also supplied by other sexual glands, which to date have not been examined in this regard. In this study, we show that the intramural glands of the human urethra (Littrè's glands) contain oxytocin-reactive material, suggesting the presence of the peptide in their exocrine secretions. Materials and MethodsSamples of the distal urethra were obtained from 4 patients aged 54-67 undergoing surgery for radical cystectomy at the Urologic Clinic of the University of Cagliari. The procedures were approved by the Local Ethics Committee, Unive...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

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confidence: 99%

Oxytocin Immunoreactivity in the Human Urethral (Littre's) Glands

Isola

Cossu

Lisa

et al. 2010

Journal of Reproduction and Development

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“…Specific transcripts for OTR are expressed in all the tissues investigated, including penis. Penile expression of OTR was comparable to that observed in testis and prostate, although one log unit lower than in the epididymis, while the rat cornea and liver, considered as negative controls (Assinder et al 2004), reveal the lowest level of OTR mRNA. To further characterize OTR in rat CC, we performed binding studies using the OTR selective radiolabeled ligand 125 I-OTA, according to the previously described protocol (Maggi et al 1987, Peri et al 1997.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…Hence, it is possible that OT plays a physiological role in mediating post-orgasmic penile detumescence. However, it is also possible that OT is generated locally in the penile tissue, as has been described for other male genital tissues such as testis (Nicholson et al 1984, 1986, Foo et al 1991, Nicholson & Hardy 1992, Einspanier & Ivell 1997, epididymis (Harris et al 1996, Assinder et al 2000 and prostate (Gemmell & Sernia 1989, Nicholson 1996, Jenkin & Nicholson 1999, Assinder et al 2004, Whittington et al 2004, exerting an autocrine/paracrine role in regulating cavernous smooth muscle tone.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification, localization and functional in vitro and in vivo activity of oxytocin receptor in the rat penis

Zhang

Filippi²,

Vignozzi³

et al. 2005

Journal of Endocrinology

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We recently found that the oxytocin receptor (OTR) is expressed in the human and rabbit corpus cavernosum and mediates contractility in vitro. The present study extended our investigations to the rat, and explored whether OTR regulates penile detumescence in vivo. Real-time RT-PCR quantitatively characterized the distribution of OTR mRNA in the male genital tract. Specific transcripts for OTR were expressed in all the tissues investigated. Penile expression of OTR was comparable to that observed in testis and prostate. Western blot analysis detected a single band of the expected molecular mass for OTR in all tissues examined, including rat penis. Expression of OTR protein in rat penile extracts was further confirmed by binding studies, using the OTR selective radiolabeled ligand 125 I-OTA (K d =17 6·5 pM, B max =15·7 5 fmoles/mg protein). OTR was immunolocalized to the endothelial and smooth muscle compartments of cavernous spaces and blood vessels. In rat corpus cavernosum strips, oxytocin (OT) and an OTR selective agonist ([Thr 4 ,Gly 7 ]OT) induced identical increases in tension, while different vasopressin agonists were less active. In vivo, OT intracavernous injection (ICI) dose-dependently inhibited intracavernous pressure (ICP) increase elicited by either electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve or ICI of papaverine with similar IC 50 s (117·7 37 mU). The OTR antagonist, atosiban, counteracted the contractile effect of OT both in vitro and in vivo. Atosiban alone significantly increased ICP at lower stimulation frequencies (2 Hz=P<0·001 and 4 Hz=P<0·05 vs control), but not at the maximal frequency (16 Hz). Our data showed that OTR is present in the rat penis and mediates contractility both in vitro and in vivo, therefore suggesting a role for OT in maintaining penile detumescence.

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“…Oxytocin receptors have also been demonstrated in many peripheral tissues, including kidney, heart, thymus, pancreas and adipocytes [14] . The presence of oxytocin synthesis and oxytocin receptor in the human male genital system, with special emphasis on prostate [15,16] , epididymis [15,17] and testis [15,18] , has been investigated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxytocin Immunoreactivity in the Corpus Cavernosum of Patients with Erectile Dysfunction

Tarhan¹,

Faydaci²,

Gül³

et al. 2011

Urol Int

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Objectives: Oxytocin is released by the posterior pituitary gland during male orgasm. Additionally, the presence of an oxytocin receptor gene and protein expression in human corpus cavernosum is demonstrated, and it has contractile activity on the smooth muscle of the animal and human corpus cavernosum in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunoreactivity of oxytocin in corpus cavernosum of patients with organic erectile dysfunction and to compare it with healthy controls. Methods: Cavernous biopsies were obtained from 31 patients with erectile dysfunction and 11 patients without erectile dysfunction. Oxytocin immunohistochemistry was performed using the streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase staining on all cases. Intensity and proportion of stained cells were added for the immunoreactivity score. Results: The mean ages of patients with erectile dysfunction and controls were 41.47 ± 2.08 and 36.50 ± 3.35 years, respectively (p > 0.05). Oxytocin expression was detected in smooth muscle as well as in endothelial cells in both groups. The mean oxytocin immunoreactivity score values of patients with erectile dysfunction and controls were also 2.16 ± 0.12 and 2.30 ± 0.21, respectively (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in immunoreactivity scores both in arterial and cavernosal failure and also in smoker and nonsmoker groups (p > 0.05). Immunoreactivity scores were not statistically significantly different between patients with concomitant medical disorders and patients with no other medical disorder (p > 0.05). Conclusion: We detected oxytocin immunoreactivity in male corpus cavernosum, but staining was not different between patients with erectile dysfunction and controls. However, further studies are necessary to reach a final conclusion regarding the effects of oxytocin on corpus cavernosum.

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Oxytocin, oxytocin-associated neurophysin and the oxytocin receptor in the human prostate

Cited by 52 publications

References 29 publications

Oxytocin Immunoreactivity in the Human Urethral (Littre's) Glands

Oxytocin Immunoreactivity in the Human Urethral (Littre's) Glands

Identification, localization and functional in vitro and in vivo activity of oxytocin receptor in the rat penis

Oxytocin Immunoreactivity in the Corpus Cavernosum of Patients with Erectile Dysfunction

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