SUMMARY :
Fundamental and clinical research in the past fifteen years has provided many
elements that have helped us to better understand how the genital tract works,
and how it is controlled by the nervous system. We now know that erection is
triggered by nitric oxide released in the penis by the sacral parasympathetic
nerves. Nitric oxide also has an effect in the central nervous system in regulating
sexual behaviour. The contractions that occur in the vas deferens during ejaculation
are due to oxytocin, which also plays a role in the spinal control of erection.
Both androgens and estrogens are involved in the activity of the central neuron
systems which control sexual behaviour in male subjects.
However, we still have little knowledge of how the central nervous system is
involved in controlling sexuality using the various nerve systems and many different
neuromediators.
One might note that research into the weaker sex is remarkably neglected in
the fundamental and clinical investigations conducted today.