Age-related differences in norepinephrine and non-collagenous protein in human vas deferens

The existence of norepinephrine or non-collagenous protein in some tissues is believed to reflect the sympathetic discharge of the structures and plays an important role in contractile ability. Specimens of vas deferens were obtained from 44 subjects in various decades of life from age 20 to 84, and levels of norepinephrine, non-collagenous protein, collagen and elastin were determined. The level of norepinephrine and non-collagenous protein declined with increasing age. Both parameters inversely correlated with age. Collagen and elastin increased with advancing age. The regression line and coefficient of correlation between both variables showed significantly positive correlations. It is suggested that the contractile ability of human vas deferens, as defined by norepinephrine and non-collagenous protein contents, decreases with age, and the age-related increase in collagen and elastin may be of importance in reducing the contractile capability of this structure.