Lack of effects of testosterone on norepinephrine turnover and tyrosine hydroxylase activity of the rat vas deferens and epididymis.

To test the effects of testosterone on some aspects of the metabolism of norepinephrine (NE) in short adrenergic neurons of the male genital tract, orchiectomized rats received 500 mug of testosterone propionate twice daily for up to 18 days. Androgen treatment did not affect the levels, uptake or efflux of NE nor modified the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase in the vas deferens and epididymis. Likewise, formaline-induced fluorescence and ultrastructure of nerve endings remained unchanged after testosterone administration. These data suggest that short adrenergic neurons of male genital tract are relatively insensitive to androgens.