eNeurobiología - Revista electrónica

 

 

Alejandro Mateos-Moreno¹, Viridiana Sánchez-Zavaleta¹, Gonzalo E. Aranda-Abreu², Deissy Herrera-Covarrubias², Fausto Rojas-Durán², Jorge Manzo², Jorge Suárez-Medellín², Ma. Rebeca Toledo², Ma Elena Hernández-Aguilar²*

¹Doctorado en Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México. ²Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México.

 

Abstract

The major pelvic ganglion is an autonomic complex comprised of a mixture of noradrenergic and cholinergic fibers aimed to innervate most viscera at the pelvic area. To accomplish this, its neurons express receptors to androgen, norepinephrine and acetylcholine ligands. It is known that sexual behavior produces both, an important activity of neuron groups inside the ganglion, and a systemic increase of prolactin and testosterone. The link between both effects is observed following the axotomy of pelvic and hypogastric nerves. Thus, the aim to determine how these receptors are modified by preganglionic denervation of male rats. The expression of adrenergic, cholinergic, androgen, and prolactin receptors in the major pelvic ganglion was analyzed by Western Blots in sexually expert and denervated subjects. Results showed that sexual behavior does not promote changes in protein density, but denervation induces an increase in androgen and muscarinic receptor levels. It is suggested that the increased expression of these receptors could be a plastic compensatory mechanism following denervation maybe to respond to endocrine influences and maintain the function of the ganglion.

Keywords: Pelvic Nerve, Hypogastric Nerve, Autonomic Neurotransmission.

 

*Correspondencia: Hernández-Aguilar María Elena. Av. Dr. Luis Castelazo Ayala s/n, col Industrial Las Ánimas, Xalapa, Veracruz, México. C.P. 91090, Tel: 52 (228) 8 418900 ext. 16307. E-mail: elenahernandez@uv.mx

Regresar