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).