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Oxytocin Receptor Is Expressed in the Penis and Mediates an Estrogen-Dependent Smooth Muscle Contractility

Andrology Unit, Endocrinology Unit (R.M.), and Clinical Biochemistry Unit (C.O., S.G.), Department of Clinical Physiopathology; Department of Anatomy (G.B.V.), Histology, and Forensic Medicine; and Department of Pharmacology (F.L.), University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Prof. Mario Maggi, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, V.le G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy. E-mail: m.maggi{at}dfc.unifi.it.

Oxytocin (OT) is released by the posterior pituitary during male orgasm and is supposed to participate in the ejaculatory process. We now report evidence demonstrating the presence of an OT receptor gene (real-time RT-PCR and Northern blot) and protein (immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and binding studies) expression in the rabbit and human corpus cavernosum (CC) and its possible involvement in postorgasmic penile detumescence. OT receptor is expressed in the penis at a concentration similar to that present in other portions of the male genital tract and mediates CC contractility. OT-induced CC contractility is clearly regulated by the changing sex steroid milieu. In fact, we found that in a rabbit model of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (induced by a single administration of the long-acting GnRH agonist triptorelin pamoate, 2.9 mg/kg), OT responsiveness was strongly reduced and was completely restored by estradiol valerate (3.3 mg/kg weekly), but not by testosterone enanthate (30 mg/kg weekly). As we found that CC expresses both subtypes of estrogen receptors and P450 aromatase, we hypothesized a physiological role for endogenous estrogens in regulating OT responsiveness. We therefore treated adult rabbits with an aromatase inhibitor (letrozole, 2.5 mg/kg) or an antiestrogen (tamoxifen, 0.25 mg/kg) for 3 wk. Both treatments significantly reduced CC responsiveness to OT stimulation. In conclusion, these findings indicate that OT might participate in inducing postorgasmic penile flaccidity and suggest a new role for estrogens in the male: regulation of CC responsiveness to OT.

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