Activation of β-Adrenergic Receptors During Sexual Arousal Facilitates Vaginal Lubrication by Regulating Vaginal Epithelial Cl− Secretion

Abstract

Introduction Vaginal lubrication, an indicator of sexual arousal and tissue health, increases significantly during genital sexual arousal. Adrenergic alpha-receptors (AR) are an important regulator of genital physiological responses involved in mediating vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle contractility; the role of β-AR in sexual arousal, however, has not yet been investigated. Aim The goal of this study was to reveal the functional role of β-AR in modulating vaginal lubrication during sexual arousal and the mechanisms underlying the process. Methods The effects of adrenaline on vaginal epithelial ion transport, intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) content ([cAMP]i), and vaginal lubrication were investigated using short-circuit current (ISC) of rat vaginas incubated in vitro, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and measurement of vaginal lubrication in vivo, respectively. The expressions of β-AR in vaginal epithelium were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunofluorescence. Main Outcome Measures Changes of ISC responses; mRNA, protein expressions and localization of β-AR; [cAMP]i; vaginal lubrication. Results Serosal application of adrenaline induced an increase of ISC across rat vaginal epithelium that blocked by propranolol, a β-AR antagonist, rather than phentolamine, an α-AR antagonist. β1/2-AR were both present in rat and human vaginal epithelial cells. Removing Cl− or application of CFTR(inh)-172, an inhibitor of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), abolished adrenaline-induced ISC responses. The elevated levels of [cAMP]i induced by adrenaline were prevented by the pretreatment with propranolol. Vaginal lubrication measured in vivo showed that adrenaline or pelvic nerve stimulation caused a marked increase in vaginal lubrication, whereas pretreatment with propranolol or CFTR(inh)-172 reduced the effect. Conclusions Activation of epithelial β-AR facilitates vaginal lubrication during sexual arousal by stimulating vaginal epithelial Cl− secretion in a cAMP-dependent pathway. Thus, vaginal epithelial β-AR might be another regulator of vaginal sexual arousal responses.

Cellular Mechanism Underlying Hydrogen Sulfide Mediated Epithelial K+ Secretion in Rat Epididymis

“…It has long been known that basolateral Na + -K + -2Cl - cotransporters (NKCC) are responsible for supplying substrate during transepithelial secretion (Bachmann et al, 2011). On the other hand, the basolateral K + channels are also involved in the process of K + secretion indirectly by maintaining the K + circulation in the basement membrane (Sun et al, 2014, 2016). Notably, when the epididymal epithelial cells were basolaterally pretreated with bumetanide (100 μM), an inhibitor of NKCC, or BaCl 2 (1 mM), the NaHS-stimulated I SC response was significantly suppressed (Figures 3I–K).…”

Trichomonas vaginalis infection impairs anion secretion in vaginal epithelium

“…To measure the transepithelial I SC , in vitro Ussing chamber experiments equipped with vaginal tissues of female SD rats was carried out as described previously [7,8]. Briefly, the freshly isolated rat vaginal mucosae were mounted vertically between two halves of the Ussing chambers, with an available permeation area of 0.45 cm 2 .…”

“…Among these ionic-transport proteins, the celebrated cAMP-dependent cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is the major anion channel distributed widely in the apical membrane of epithelial cells [3]. The CFTR channel mediates transepithelial Cl − and HCO 3 − transport in both female and male genital tracts including the vagina, playing crucial roles in various reproductive events such as the maintenance of luminal fluid microenvironment homeostasis [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Conversely, the absence or dysfunction of CFTR results in alterations in the reproductive tract luminal fluid microenvironment and a higher incidence of infertility [10].…”

Latihan Otot Dasar Panggul Dan Komunikasi Seksual Pada Ibu Pascasalin

“…(Citak et al, 2010;Lowenstein et al, 2010) Namun terdapat faktor yang memengaruhi sulit atau tidaknya responden dalam mencapai orgasme, seperti terganggunya konsentrasi sehingga terjadi penurunan gairah seksual seperti diungkapkan dalam Sun et al bahwa wanita dengan gangguan gairah seksual dapat mengalami kesulitan dalam orgasme. (Sun, Huang, Yang, Cao, & Zhou, 2014) Seperti telah dijelaskan pada dimensi gairah seksual, bahwa saat mencapai titik gairah seksual yang maksimal maka wanita tersebut akan mengalami rangkaian fisiologis orgasme. Namun harus juga diingat gairah seksual merupakan gabungan dari komponen-komponen yang saling berinteraksi, termasuk didalamnya perubahan psikologis, ekspresi emosi dan perilaku motivasi.…”