Adrenergic innervation of the ureter

To determine whether the ureter is innervated by the autonomic nervous system, isolated canine ureters were superfused with modified Tyrode solution, and force developed in response to 100-msec duration stimuli at a rate of 3 per min was monitored. Norepinephrine and phenylephrine significantly increased developed force; the latter more than the former. These increases in developed force were blocked by phentolamine, and propranolol enhanced the stimulatory effect of norepinephrine. In the presence of phentolamine, norepinephrine significantly decreased developed force. Isoproterenol significantly decreased developed force and this significant decrease in contractility was not observed in the presence of propranolol. High intensity, high frequency, short duration stimuli which in themselves were unable to excite quiescent rabbit and canine ureteral segments potentiated contractile force of segments contracting at the basal rate of 3 per min in response to long duration stimuli. When these same high intensity, high frequency, short duration stimuli were applied to ureteral segments pretreated with phentolamine, the developed force of the basally driven preparations decreased. These data suggest the presence of alpha-stimulatory and beta-inhibitory adrenergic receptors in canine and rabbit ureter and provide evidence for adrenergic tissue within the wall of the ureter that can influence contractile force.