ADRENERGIC-INNERVATION OF THE EPIDIDYMIS, VAS-DEFERENS, ACCESSORY GENITAL GLANDS AND URETHRA IN THE BOAR

The distribution of adrenergic nerve fibres in the urethra and some or gans of the male reproductive system of juvenile boars was studied by applying the glioxylic acid-induced fluorescence method. Adrenergic ne rve fibres were found in all structures examined, with particular rela tion to their muscular coats and arterial blood vessels. Ductuli effer entes and ductus epididymidis from the caput region were weakly innerv ated. The number of adrenergic nerve fibres innervating the ductus epi didymidis gradually increased towards the cauda epididymidis, being gr eatest in this region. The vas deferens was very well supplied with th ese nerves. The seminal vesicle was found to be the richest innervated organ in comparison with other accessory genital glands. The body of the prostate was slightly weaker innervated, while the disseminated pa rt of the prostate as well as the bulbourethral gland comprised the sm allest number of adrenergic nerve fibres. The urethra received a very dense adrenergic nerve supply. The pelvic part of the urogenital duct possessed a moderate number of adrenergic nerves, which supplied not o nly the muscular membrane but also venous sinuses of the mucosa. In a close vicinity to the internal genital organs numerous ganglia contain ing both adrenergic and non-adrenergic nerve cell bodies were observed . The presented data suggest that adrenergic innervation may be deeply involved in the control of blood flow and motor function of the organ s studied, and that a part of adrenergic nerve fibers innervating thes e structures may originate from pelvic ganglia.