Androgen induced norepinephrine release from postganglionic neurons mediates accessory sex organ smooth muscle proliferation.

Purpose: Guinea pig seminal vesicle smooth muscle displays an initial androgen dependent, proliferative response during early puberty, followed by progression to an androgen resistant, amitotic state in adults. We determined the role of norepinephrine in androgen dependent pubertal proliferation and in the subsequent terminal differentiation of adult seminal vesicle smooth muscle.

Materials And Methods: Guinea pig seminal vesicle provided a suitable model since its unique anatomy allowed clean harvest of smooth muscle without epithelium.