Response of the isolated human seminiferous tubule to prostaglandins F1 alpha, F2 alpha, E1 and E2

In an attempt to ascertain whether prostaglandins alter the in vitro contractile activity of the human seminiferous tubule, the effects of prostaglandins on the isolated human seminiferous tubule were examined by recording the intratubular pressure with a servonull pressure with a servonull pressure measuring device. We describe here the first response of the human seminiferous tubule to prostaglandins. Prostaglandin F2 alpha (10(-9) M to 10(-6) M) produced contractions of the seminiferous tubules in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, prostaglandins F1 alpha (10(-8) M to 10(-6) M), E1 (10(-9) M to 10(-6) M) and E2 (10(-8) M to 10(-6) M) produced relaxations of the seminiferous tubules which were dose dependent. The results from these experiments suggest that prostaglandins modulate the in vitro contractility of the human seminiferous tubules and thus may regulate the transport of spermatozoa and tubular fluid to the rete testis.