Abstract
Age-related changes in pre- and postsynaptic α-adrenoceptors were investigated in prostatic and epididymal portions of vasa deferentia from young adult (2–3 month) and 24 month old Sprague-Dawley rats, using the selective α 1-agonist amidephrine and the selective α 2-agonist xylazine. Effects of agonists were assessed against the isometric contraction to single pulse field stimulation. There was no change in the pre- or postsynaptic potency of amidephrine, but the presynaptic inhibitory potency of xylazine was significantly reduced in old rats. Therefore, in old rats there is a reduced sensitivity of presynaptic α 2- but no change in pre- or postsynaptic α 1-adrenoceptors and this may result in increased peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission.
Published Version
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