PEPTIDERGIC INNERVATION OF THE HUMAN TESTIS AND EPIDIDYMIS

Neuropeptidergic innervation of the human testis and epididymis was in vestigated by immunohistochemical methods. The innervation of the epid idymis was more dense than that of testis. In the testis only tyrosine hydroxylase- and neuropeptide Y-positive nerves could be found betwee n seminiferous tubules and around blood vessels. In the connective tis sue capsule of the testis also small calcitonin gene-related peptide- and metenkephalin-containing nerve fibres were seen. The epididymis wa s densely innervated by nerve fibres immunoreactive to tyrosine hydrox ylase, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, calcitonin g ene-related peptide, galanin, peptide histidine isoleusine and substan ce P.