[Neurophysiological mechanisms of ejaculation]. 2018

Qi-Jie Zhang, and Jia-Dong Xia, and Ning-Hong Song
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China .

The sexual behavior of the male can be described as a series of behavioral transitions eventually leading to ejaculation and sexual satisfaction. The ejaculation itself is extensively regulated by different ejaculation generators. The "spinal ejaculation generator" receives genito-sensory signals through afferent fibers and then informs the brainstem and forebrain via ascending fiber projections. Conversely, the supraspinal areas restrict ejaculations to the optimal moments and circumstances through descending afferent fibers. The messages ascending from the spinal cord reach the interconnected thalami, hypothalami, limbic system and cerebral cortex and are integrated with olfactory information. These brain areas are all related to ejaculation, but the exact facilitatory and inhibitory mechanisms involved have not yet been elucidated hitherto. Both the medial preoptic nucleus and brainstem areas play an important role in the "downward" mechanisms underlying the spinal "release" of an ejaculation. The medial preoptic nucleus is also precisely related to the "sexual rewarding" coming with an ejaculation. Meanwhile, the roles of several neurotransmitters are discussed considering their remarkable effects on ejaculation. This review focuses on the ejaculation-related circuits and neurotransmitters for the purpose of gaining a deeper insight into the mechanisms of ejaculation and providing some theoretical evidence for the study and treatment of ejaculation-related diseases.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D004542 Ejaculation The emission of SEMEN to the exterior, resulting from the contraction of muscles surrounding the male internal urogenital ducts. Ejaculations
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012725 Sexual Behavior Sexual activities of humans. Anal Sex,Oral Sex,Sexual Activity,Sexual Orientation,Premarital Sex Behavior,Sex Behavior,Sex Orientation,Sexual Activities,Activities, Sexual,Activity, Sexual,Behavior, Premarital Sex,Behavior, Sex,Behavior, Sexual,Orientation, Sexual,Sex, Anal,Sex, Oral
D012726 Sexual Behavior, Animal Sexual activities of animals. Mating Behavior, Animal,Sex Behavior, Animal,Animal Mating Behavior,Animal Mating Behaviors,Animal Sex Behavior,Animal Sex Behaviors,Animal Sexual Behavior,Animal Sexual Behaviors,Mating Behaviors, Animal,Sex Behaviors, Animal,Sexual Behaviors, Animal
D013116 Spinal Cord A cylindrical column of tissue that lies within the vertebral canal. It is composed of WHITE MATTER and GRAY MATTER. Coccygeal Cord,Conus Medullaris,Conus Terminalis,Lumbar Cord,Medulla Spinalis,Myelon,Sacral Cord,Thoracic Cord,Coccygeal Cords,Conus Medullari,Conus Terminali,Cord, Coccygeal,Cord, Lumbar,Cord, Sacral,Cord, Spinal,Cord, Thoracic,Cords, Coccygeal,Cords, Lumbar,Cords, Sacral,Cords, Spinal,Cords, Thoracic,Lumbar Cords,Medulla Spinali,Medullari, Conus,Medullaris, Conus,Myelons,Sacral Cords,Spinal Cords,Spinali, Medulla,Spinalis, Medulla,Terminali, Conus,Terminalis, Conus,Thoracic Cords

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