Evaluation of the new catecholamine 6-Nitrodopa in the seminal vesicle of rats

• Grant number: 24/13789-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Autonomic Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Gilberto de Nucci
• Grantee: Leonel Custódio Ribeiro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/16805-4 - Evaluation of the pathophysiological role of endothelial catecholamines, AP.TEM

Abstract

Catecholamines modulate the contractile state of structures of the Male Reproductive System through their release by adrenergic terminals and by their binding to alpha and beta adrenergic receptors present in the tissues. However, we identified a basal release of 6-nitrodopamine (6-ND) by the epithelium of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle of humans, which leads us to believe that it has a central role in ejaculation, since this new catecholamine was able to modulate the contraction of these structures. We also describe the release of 6-cyanodopamine (6-CYDA) by the vas deferens of rats, in which 6-CYDA acts by potentiating the contractions mediated by noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine. We believe that these new epithelial catecholamines have a central role in the physiology of the Male Reproductive System, especially in the ejaculation process. We recently described the basal release of 6-nitrodopa from isolated rat vas deferens. However, it is not known whether this new catecholamine is also released by the seminal vesicle and whether it has any function in this gland. Thus, this study aims to verify whether there is basal release of 6-nitrodopa by the seminal vesicle of rats and to verify whether it has any physiological function in this gland. To this end, baths with isolated seminal vesicles will be used to analyze whether they release 6-nitrodopa by mass spectrometry and whether it has an effect on seminal vesicle contractions, in isolation, and mediated by traditional catecholamines and by electric field stimulation (EFS). Finally, it will be verified whether there is synergism between 6-ND and 6-nitrodopa in seminal vesicle contraction.