The innervation of the vas deferens of the guinea-pig

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Abstract
The compound action potential of the hypogastric nerve of the guinea-pig contained 2 main elevations. The low-threshold fibers had a range of conduction velocities from 1.5 to 10 m/sec. The high threshold fibers conducted action potentials at less than 1 m/sec. The hypogastric nerve contained small myelinated fibers and non-myelinated fibers. In the preparation in vitro, junctional potentials and contractions were elicited by stimulation of the rapidly conducting fibers alone. Trains of C fiber volleys were ineffective. In the preparation in vivo, conduction from the hypogastric nerve to the vas deferens nerve was unidirectional and abolished by hexamethonium. After the administration of hexameth-onium, the contraction produced by stimulation of the vas deferens nerve was unaffected. The close arterial injection of acetylcholine (ACh) into the pelvic viscera caused centrifugal activity in the motor fibers of the vas deferens nerve, but no impulses were detected in the hypogastric nerve. Ganglion cells are present in the last 2 cm of the hypogastric nerve. There is a ganglionic relay between the hypogastric and vas deferens nerves.