A Review of Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Innervation in the Structural and Functional Maintenance of the Male Gonad

Abstract

The nervous system controls and coordinates the functions of all body systems, including the male reproductive system. The male gonad, responsible for spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis, receives autonomous sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation, having a great influence on the structural and functional integrity of this organ. The testis receives autonomic innervation primarily at the superior and inferior poles, specifically by the superior and inferior spermatic nerves. This nervous control is wired into all testicular cell populations such as contractile cells (myoid cells), germ cells, and steroidogenic cells. Many studies have also described the influence of autonomic innervation on Sertoli cell control. Thus, any possible interference of physical or chemical agents whose action is directly or indirectly linked to the nervous control of the testicle can result in changes and/or damage to male reproduction, with emphasis on testicular impairment. The present chapter consists of a review of data about the effects of physical or chemical alterations on the autonomous innervation and its repercussions on male gonad. For this, it is necessary to understand the general aspect of the nervous system and the male gonad morphology and innervation, as well as the action of drugs or any methods that promote changes in the communication between these two systems.