Defining the precapillary sphincter

Influence of denervation on phospholipid metabolism in the vas deferens and effect of phospholipase C treatment on sensitivity of the vas deferens for noradrenaline were studied. The incorporation of 32P-orthophosphate into phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine was markedly increased by denervation. Incorporation of 32P-orthophosphate into proteolipid was accelerated more than that of 3H-leucine. Sensitivity of the denervated vas deferens for noradrenaline was strongly reduced by phospholipase C treatment. These data suggest that the supersensitivity of the denervated vas deferens for noradrenaline was mainly due to the increase in phospholipids.