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Electromyographic study of ejaculatory mechanism.

A Shafik1, A A Shafik, O El Sibai

  • 1Department of Surgery and Experimental Research, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. shafik@ahmedshafik.com

International Journal of Andrology
|December 12, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Ejaculation involves reflex contractions of the cavernosus muscle (CM), seminal vesicle (SV), and vasal ampulla (VA). Anesthetizing the glans penis abolished these muscle contractions, suggesting a glans-cavernosus-vesicular reflex (GCVR).

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive physiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Urology

Background:

  • Ejaculation involves complex physiological processes, including muscle contractions of the cavernosus muscle (CM), seminal vesicle (SV), and vasal ampulla (VA).
  • These contractions are hypothesized to be part of a reflex mechanism, the ejaculatory reflex, which has been under-researched.
  • Understanding the neural pathways mediating ejaculation is crucial for reproductive health and diagnosing related dysfunctions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that contractions of the CM, SV, and VA during ejaculation are reflex actions.
  • To identify the sensory pathway involved in triggering these reflex contractions.
  • To explore the potential of this reflex as a diagnostic tool for erectile dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the CM, SV, and VA was recorded during ejaculation in 28 healthy men.
  • The study involved separate anesthetization of the glans penis (GP), CMs, SVs, and VA in the pre-ejaculatory period to assess reflex pathways.
  • Latent ejaculatory time (LET) was measured, and EMG activity was analyzed under different conditions.

Main Results:

  • CM showed no EMG activity until the rigid erection phase; SV and VA exhibited resting EMG activity that increased with erection.
  • At ejaculation, CM, SV, and VA displayed 2-4 intermittent contractions.
  • Anesthesia of the GP abolished CM, SV, and VA EMG activity during ejaculation, while anesthesia of the CM, SV, or VA also eliminated their respective EMG activity.
  • Mean LET was 1.3 ± 0.2 seconds.

Conclusions:

  • Cavernosus muscle, seminal vesicle, and vasal ampulla contractions during ejaculation are reflex actions mediated by the glans penis.
  • The 'glans-cavernosovesicular reflex' (GCVR) is proposed as the ejaculatory reflex pathway.
  • The GCVR may serve as a valuable tool for diagnosing erectile dysfunction, warranting further investigation.