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Pro‐VGF‐derived peptides induce penile erection in male rats: possible involvement of oxytocin

Pro‐VGF‐derived peptides induce penile erection in male rats: possible involvement of oxytocin The effect of five peptides derived from the C‐terminal portion of rat pro‐VGF (VGF577‐617, VGF588‐617, VGF599‐617, VGF556‐576 and VGF588‐597) on penile erection was studied after injection into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of male rats. VGF577‐617, VGF588‐617, VGF599‐617 and, to a lower extent, VGF588‐597 (0.1–2 µg) induced penile erection episodes in a dose‐dependent manner when injected into the paraventricular nucleus, while VGF556‐576 was ineffective. VGF588‐617‐induced penile erection was reduced by nitroω‐l‐arginine methylester (L‐NAME; 20 µg), by morphine (5 µg) and by muscimol (1 µg), but not by dizocilpine ((+)MK‐801; 1 µg), nor by cis‐flupenthixol (10 µg) given into the paraventricular nucleus 10 min before the VGF peptide. d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)‐Orn8‐vasotocin (1 µg) effectively reduced VGF588‐617‐induced penile erection when given into the lateral ventricles but not when injected into the paraventricular nucleus. Immunocytochemistry with antibodies specific for the C‐terminal nonapeptide sequence of pro‐VGF (VGF609‐617) revealed numerous neuronal fibres and terminals within the paraventricular nucleus, including its parvocellular components. Here, many immunostained neuronal terminals impinged on parvocellular oxytocinergic neurons. The present results show for the first time that certain pro‐VGF C‐terminus‐derived peptides promote penile erection when injected into the paraventricular nucleus and suggest that, within this nucleus, these or closely related pro‐VGF‐derived peptides may be released to influence sexual function by activating paraventricular oxytocinergic neurons mediating penile erection. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png European Journal of Neuroscience Wiley

Pro‐VGF‐derived peptides induce penile erection in male rats: possible involvement of oxytocin

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References (33)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
0953-816X
eISSN
1460-9568
DOI
10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03781.x
pmid
15579158
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The effect of five peptides derived from the C‐terminal portion of rat pro‐VGF (VGF577‐617, VGF588‐617, VGF599‐617, VGF556‐576 and VGF588‐597) on penile erection was studied after injection into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of male rats. VGF577‐617, VGF588‐617, VGF599‐617 and, to a lower extent, VGF588‐597 (0.1–2 µg) induced penile erection episodes in a dose‐dependent manner when injected into the paraventricular nucleus, while VGF556‐576 was ineffective. VGF588‐617‐induced penile erection was reduced by nitroω‐l‐arginine methylester (L‐NAME; 20 µg), by morphine (5 µg) and by muscimol (1 µg), but not by dizocilpine ((+)MK‐801; 1 µg), nor by cis‐flupenthixol (10 µg) given into the paraventricular nucleus 10 min before the VGF peptide. d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)‐Orn8‐vasotocin (1 µg) effectively reduced VGF588‐617‐induced penile erection when given into the lateral ventricles but not when injected into the paraventricular nucleus. Immunocytochemistry with antibodies specific for the C‐terminal nonapeptide sequence of pro‐VGF (VGF609‐617) revealed numerous neuronal fibres and terminals within the paraventricular nucleus, including its parvocellular components. Here, many immunostained neuronal terminals impinged on parvocellular oxytocinergic neurons. The present results show for the first time that certain pro‐VGF C‐terminus‐derived peptides promote penile erection when injected into the paraventricular nucleus and suggest that, within this nucleus, these or closely related pro‐VGF‐derived peptides may be released to influence sexual function by activating paraventricular oxytocinergic neurons mediating penile erection.

Journal

European Journal of NeuroscienceWiley

Published: Dec 1, 2004

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