Vas deferens--a model used to establish sympathetic cotransmission

Abstract

The vas deferens has been used as a model for many diverse studies of different aspects of autonomic neurotransmission since its introduction including, in particular, sympathetic cotransmission involving release of ATP and neuropeptide Y together with noradrenaline and prejunctional and postjunctional neuromodulation. It has also been used to study sympathetic reinnervation following vasectomy and castration, as well as the deleterious effects of diabetes, hypertension and chronic alcohol.