Release of contractile agents from rat vas deferens by clonidine

Clonidine induces contractile effects on the isolated rat vas deferens, but not on rat uterus or guinea-pig ileum. However, we have observed that if clonidine is incubated for about 10 min with a nutrient solution containing an isolated rat vas deferens, the resulting solution can contract an isolated rat uterus, or guinea-pig ileum indicating the involvement of a substance released from the vas. This contractile effect was partially reduced by naloxone and by serotonin antagonists, and by using a denervated vas, indicating that opioids, serotonin and eventually other substances released from nerve tissue of the vas can be involved.