Endocrine Abstracts

The local biological activity of the natriuretic peptides ANP, BNP and CNP is regulated by changes in the activity of their guanylyl cyclase (GC)-containing receptors GC-A and GC-B, by the so-called natriuretic peptide clearance receptor NPR-C and by membrane-bound ectoproteases. Activity of GCs is regulated by alterations in the extent of receptor phosphorylation. Dephosphorylation decreases natriuretic peptide-induced GC activity. This mechanism is used for desensitization i...

Oxytocin was suggested to affect sperm volume and ejaculation. The most distal part of the epididymis stores the sperm until ejaculation and was therefore our main focus when investigating parts of the rat epididymis and vas deferens for local differences of the contractile responses to oxytocin in comparison to norepinephrine regarding their usability for targeted drug development. Single loops of the coiled epididymal duct from defined parts of the epididymis and the adjacen...