Response of the rabbit isolated testicular capsule at hypothermic and hyperthermic temperatures to norepinephrine, acetylcholine and prostaglandin F2 alpha.

Spontaneous contractions of the adult rabbit isolated testicular capsule were found to be influenced by moderate hyperthermic and hypothermic temperature changes. The decrease in testicular capsular spontaneous contractions resulting from an exposure to 32, 40 and 42 degrees C have been shown to be influenced by the addition of NE, ACh and PGF2 alpha. Of the three neurohumoral agents studied, NE was found to cause the greatest increase and re-initiation of testicular capsular tone during both hypothermia and hyperthermia. These data indicate that endogenous levels of neurohumoral agents may play an important role in the maintenance of testicular capsular tone during exposure to hyperthermic or hypothermic conditions.