Prostaglandin F 1α Induced Stimulation of Rabbit Testicular Contractions in Vitro 1

Abstract

Summary

Excised rabbit testes were observed to contract autorhythmically in vitro at a frequency of 2-3 times/min. When PGF_1a was added to the bathing media, an increase in rate and overall tone with a change in amplitude was observed. At lower concentrations of prostaglandin, the amplitude increased; but at higher levels (greater than 71 nM), amplitude was decreased. The response of the testicular capsule was dose dependent from 0.4 to 213 nM concentration of PGF_1a. When PGF_1a was added to a testicular preparation during the latent period, before contractions were initiated spontaneously, an overall increase in tone was observed at 14 nM concentration, and the appearance of contractions approximately 7 min after treatment. At 57 nM concentration, PGF_1a initiated a series of modulated contractions within 1-3 min that increased in amplitude with time. The available data now suggest that prostaglandins may modulate testicular contractions in vitro: one group inhibiting and a second group stimulating this activity.