Novel in vitro models to investigate pharmacological targets in genital resistance vasculature

Morton, Jude S (2006) Novel in vitro models to investigate pharmacological targets in genital resistance vasculature. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Male and female sexual dysfunctions are prevalent, multifactorial disorders, which significantly impact on the quality of life of sufferers. The development of treatments for male sexual dysfunction has been based on an understanding of the function of the genital tissues. However, much of this knowledge has been gained using techniques to investigate responses of penile and vaginal tissue strips to exogenous agonists and antagonists. In the few studies that have considered the function of isolated male penile arteries it has been demonstrated that vascular responses may differ from those of penile tissues. A fuller understanding of the function of isolated penile arteries will provide a more sophisticated approach to novel pharmacological therapies for male sexual dysfunction. In addition, very little research has been carried out into the physiology of female genital tissues and no studies have considered the function of isolated female genital arteries. Treatments for sexual dysfunction in the female sex have largely been based on successes in the male field with mixed results. A fuller understanding of the function of female vaginal arteries may provide a more coherent basis for the development of novel pharmacological therapies for female sexual dysfunction. The present study utilised the method of small vessel wire myography to perform a detailed pharmacological investigation into the vascular function of isolated genital arteries from male and female New Zealand White rabbits. The arteries chosen for study were the male dorsal and cavernous arteries and the female vaginal artery, divided into two preparations, upstream 'extra-vaginal' artery (EVA) and downstream 'intra-vaginal' artery (IVA). Mechanisms of vasoconstriction and vasodilation were examined and related to current published knowledge. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Sexual dysfunctions, treatment, pharmacology.
• Subjects: Q Science > QP Physiology; R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Supervisor's Name: McGrath, Prof. Ian and Daly, Dr. Craig
• Date of Award: 2006
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2006-71379
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 10 May 2019 10:49
• Last Modified: 28 May 2021 10:09
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.71379
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/71379