Prostaglandin E 1 Induced Inhibition of Rabbit Testicular Contractions in Vitro 1

Summary

Intact rabbit testes contracted autorhythmically in vitro with a frequency of 2-3 beats/min. When (PGE₁) was added to the bathing media, there were alterations in amplitude of contractions, rate, overall tone, and mode of contraction. At relatively high levels of PGE₁ (greater than 36 nM) the contractions were completely effaced; with lower concentrations of PGE₁, recovery was evident after 5 to 6 min. The effects of PGE₁ on amplitude, rate, and tonus were dose-dependent. The above observations, plus those of other workers that prostaglandins are present in mammalian testes, that a mechanism for their synthesis appears to be present in this organ, and that these compounds modulate androgen synthesis and inhibit testicular capsular contraction, suggest a possible physiological role for these unsaturated fatty acid derivatives in normal testicular function.