Testosterone Relaxes Human Internal Spermatic Vein Through Potassium Channel Opening Action

• DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2011.03.003
• Publication Date: 2011-05-25T00:15:28Z
• Authors: Melik Seyrek; Hasan Cem Irkilata; Ismail Mert Vural; Ibrahim Yildirim; Seref Basal; Oguzhan Yildiz; Murat Dayanc
• Keywords: Male; Potassium Channels; Muscle Relaxation; In Vitro Techniques; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Veins; 3. Good health; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Testis; Humans; Testosterone

To investigate the relation of testosterone-induced relaxation with smooth muscle K+ channels in human internal spermatic veins. Testosterone induces relaxation in human isolated internal spermatic veins, and this effect decreases in high-grade varicocele (recently reported).The responses of isolated internal spermatic veins from patients with varicocele were recorded isometrically using a force displacement transducer. After contracting the venous rings with 45 mM KCl, relaxation with testosterone (0.1-300 μM) was recorded in the absence or presence of large conductance calcium-activated K+ channel and the voltage-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium, adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor glibenclamide, voltage-dependent inward rectifier K+ channel inhibitor barium chloride, and voltage-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor 4-aminopyridine.Testosterone induced relaxation in human isolated internal spermatic veins in the absence of inhibitors (maximal effect 52.88±6.72, n=24). Although tetraethylammonium, barium chloride, and 4-aminopyridine did not alter the testosterone-induced relaxant responses, GLI inhibited these responses.These results have demonstrated that testosterone induces relaxation in human isolated internal spermatic veins of patients with varicocele by way of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channels.