The effect of norepinephrine, isoprenaline and acetylcholine on the testicular and epididymal circulation in the pig.

Blood flow to the testis and epididymis of 7 anaesthetized male pigs was measured using electromagnetic blood flow sensors. An average blood flow to the testis of 12 ml/min/100 g and in the epididymal arteries of 19 ml/min/100 g was measured. The effect of intravenously administered norepinephrine, isoprenaline and acetylcholine on alpha and beta 2 adrenergic and cholinergic receptor sites, respectively, was investigated. As neither norepinephrine nor isoprenaline, nor acetylcholine changed vascular conductance of the testis, we could not demonstrate adrenergic and cholinergic receptor activity. The possibility of autonomic regulation by the nonvascular smooth muscles of the spermatic cord and the inner layer of the tunica albuginea has been discussed.