PERIPHERAL NEUROTRANSMITTERS

There are a number of peripheral neurotransmitters implicated in the control of erections. Parasympathetic nitric oxide (co - localized with acetylcholine) innervation causes relaxation and results in erection, (Giuliano et al., 1995). Whereas noradrenergic sympathetic innervation results in detumescence, (Andersson et al., 2000). Other neurotransmitters involved in control of erectile function include nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The crucial peripheral event in the induction of erection is the relaxation of smooth muscle cells in the wall of the corpus cavernosum. This action is initiated in response to nitric oxide causing the rise of intracellular second messengers

such as cAMP and cGMP, eventually resulting in calcium efflux from the cells and relaxation, (Wagner and Mulhall, 2001).

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