Document Detail


Morphological and physiological factors involved in the contractility of the spermatic cord and ductus deferens of the opossum (Didelphis albiventris).
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  7097636     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The opossum spermatic cord is characterized by a thick skeletal muscle coat, provided by the great development of the cremasteric muscle. Acetylcholine induced a powerful contraction of the spermatic cord placed in an organ bath containing Heller's solution. This contraction was blocked by curare but not completely by atropine as is usual for skeletal muscle. However, the ductus deferens did not respond to acetylcholine or catecholamines under the same conditions. Specific histochemical methods for both catecholamines and acetylcholinesterases revealed that the ductus deferens musculature, composed mainly of circular fibres, is richly innervated by adrenergic and presumed cholinergic nerve fibres. The lack of responsiveness to the neurotransmitters could be explained by the absence of longitudinally arranged muscle. It is suggested that in the opossum the cremaster could participate in the mechanism of sperm transport.
Authors:
C R Machado; S L Calixto; W Ladosky
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of reproduction and fertility     Volume:  65     ISSN:  0022-4251     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Reprod. Fertil.     Publication Date:  1982 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1982-09-17     Completed Date:  1982-09-17     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0376367     Medline TA:  J Reprod Fertil     Country:  ENGLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  275-80     Citation Subset:  IM    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acetylcholine / pharmacology
Animals
Atropine / pharmacology
Curare / pharmacology
Male
Muscle Contraction
Opossums / physiology*
Spermatic Cord / drug effects,  physiology*
Vas Deferens / drug effects,  physiology*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
51-55-8/Atropine; 51-84-3/Acetylcholine; 8063-06-7/Curare

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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