Cellular studies of sympathetic denervation produced by 6-hydroxydopamine in the vas deferens.

Abstract

The effect of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on the ultrastructure, fluorescent histochemistry, electrophysiology and pharmacology of the mouse and rat vas deferens has been examined during the first 24 hours after single intravenous injections. During the first hour there was a marked increase in the granulation of the intra-axonal vesicles, spontaneous contractions occurred, and there was an increase in the frequency of spontaneous junction potentials. These results indicate the displacement, by 6-OHDA, of discrete packets of noradrenaline from intra-axonal stores. By 4 to 6 hours, there was a general decrease in the fluorescent intensity of adrenergic nerves. At 24 hours the fluorescent inten..