Neurotransmitters adenosine triphosphate and noradrenaline induce nitric oxide release in rat vas deferens.

1. In rat vas deferens, electrical field stimulation (EFS) evoked a muscular biphasic tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive contractile response. 2. The amplitude of this response increased with the frequency of stimulation. 3. After each stimulation, nitric oxide (NO) release was assayed and found to be released in a frequency-dependent manner. 4. NO release also occurred after treatment with exogenous neurotransmitters, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and noradrenaline (NA). 5. Prazosin and pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS), respective antagonists of alpha1-adrenoceptors and P2x purinoceptors, inhibited NO release induced by NA and ATP. Both prazosin and PPADS inhibited…