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Central nervous system control of ejaculation.

Gert Holstege1

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands. g.holstege@med.rug.nl

World Journal of Urology
|May 6, 2005
PubMed
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The spinal cord contains distinct neural circuits controlling ejaculation phases. Brain pathways and reduced fear responses, observed in PET scans, are crucial for this reproductive function.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Neuroanatomy

Background:

  • Ejaculation is a complex reflex involving coordinated muscle contractions.
  • The precise neural circuitry within the spinal cord and brain remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the spinal cord regions active during ejaculation.
  • To propose a conceptual model of central spinal pattern generators for ejaculation phases.
  • To review descending pathways and brain activation patterns associated with ejaculation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on spinal cord anatomy and physiology related to ejaculation.
  • Analysis of clinical observations in patients with spinal cord transection.
  • Discussion of functional neuroimaging data (PET scan) from human males during ejaculation.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Identified preganglionic sympathetic motoneurons (upper lumbar) for emission and Onuf's nucleus motoneurons (upper sacral) for expulsion.
  • Proposed intermediomedial cell groups as central spinal pattern generators for emission and expulsion phases.
  • Highlighted the significant influence of descending supraspinal pathways on ejaculation control.
  • Observed activation in the ventral tegmental area and cerebellum, and deactivation in the amygdala during human ejaculation.

Conclusions:

  • The spinal cord houses dedicated neural networks for controlling the emission and expulsion phases of ejaculation.
  • Supraspinal centers, particularly the ventral tegmental area and cerebellum, play a key role in modulating ejaculation.
  • A decrease in fear responses, indicated by amygdala deactivation, appears necessary for successful ejaculation.