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Cuendias P, Vega JA, García-Suárez O, Suazo I, Cobo R, García-Piqueras J, García-Mesa Y. Axonal and Glial PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 Immunoreactivity in Human Clitoral Krause's Corpuscles. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6722. [PMID: 38928429 PMCID: PMC11203881 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Krause's corpuscles are typical of cutaneous mucous epithelia, like the lip vermillion or the glans clitoridis, and are associated with rapidly adapting low-threshold mechanoreceptors involved in gentle touch or vibration. PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 are transmembrane mechano-gated proteins that form a part of the cationic ion channels required for mechanosensitivity in mammalian cells. They are involved in somatosensitivity, especially in the different qualities of touch, but also in pain and proprioception. In the present study, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the occurrence and cellular location of PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 in human clitoral Krause's corpuscles. Both PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 were detected in Krause's corpuscles in both the axon and the terminal glial cells. The presence of PIEZOs in the terminal glial cells of Kraus's corpuscles is reported here for the first time. Based on the distribution of PIEZO1 and PIEZO2, it may be assumed they could be involved in mechanical stimuli, sexual behavior, and sexual pleasure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cuendias
- Grupo de Investigación SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (P.C.); (J.A.V.); (O.G.-S.); (J.G.-P.)
| | - José A. Vega
- Grupo de Investigación SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (P.C.); (J.A.V.); (O.G.-S.); (J.G.-P.)
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia, Santiago de Chile 4810010, Chile;
| | - Olivia García-Suárez
- Grupo de Investigación SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (P.C.); (J.A.V.); (O.G.-S.); (J.G.-P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Iván Suazo
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia, Santiago de Chile 4810010, Chile;
| | - Ramón Cobo
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario “Marqués de Valdecilla”, 39008 Santander, Spain;
| | - Jorge García-Piqueras
- Grupo de Investigación SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (P.C.); (J.A.V.); (O.G.-S.); (J.G.-P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Yolanda García-Mesa
- Grupo de Investigación SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (P.C.); (J.A.V.); (O.G.-S.); (J.G.-P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
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Qi L, Iskols M, Greenberg RS, Xiao JY, Handler A, Liberles SD, Ginty DD. Krause corpuscles are genital vibrotactile sensors for sexual behaviours. Nature 2024; 630:926-934. [PMID: 38898273 PMCID: PMC11208142 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07528-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Krause corpuscles, which were discovered in the 1850s, are specialized sensory structures found within the genitalia and other mucocutaneous tissues1-4. The physiological properties and functions of Krause corpuscles have remained unclear since their discovery. Here we report the anatomical and physiological properties of Krause corpuscles of the mouse clitoris and penis and their roles in sexual behaviour. We observed a high density of Krause corpuscles in the clitoris compared with the penis. Using mouse genetic tools, we identified two distinct somatosensory neuron subtypes that innervate Krause corpuscles of both the clitoris and penis and project to a unique sensory terminal region of the spinal cord. In vivo electrophysiology and calcium imaging experiments showed that both Krause corpuscle afferent types are A-fibre rapid-adapting low-threshold mechanoreceptors, optimally tuned to dynamic, light-touch and mechanical vibrations (40-80 Hz) applied to the clitoris or penis. Functionally, selective optogenetic activation of Krause corpuscle afferent terminals evoked penile erection in male mice and vaginal contraction in female mice, while genetic ablation of Krause corpuscles impaired intromission and ejaculation of males and reduced sexual receptivity of females. Thus, Krause corpuscles of the clitoris and penis are highly sensitive mechanical vibration detectors that mediate sexually dimorphic mating behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Qi
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Iskols
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel S Greenberg
- Department of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jia Yin Xiao
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annie Handler
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen D Liberles
- Department of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David D Ginty
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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García-Mesa Y, Cuendias P, Alonso-Guervós M, García-Piqueras J, Martín-Biedma B, Cobo T, García-Suárez O, Vega JA. Immunohistochemical detection of PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 in human digital Meissner´s corpuscles. Ann Anat 2024; 252:152200. [PMID: 38109982 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2023.152200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cutaneous end organ complexes or cutaneous sensory corpuscles are specialized sensory organs associated to low-threshold mechanoreceptors. Mechano-gated proteins forming a part of ion channels have been detected in both the axon and terminal glial cells of Meissner corpuscles, a specific cutaneous end organ complex in the human glabrous skin. The main candidates to mechanotransduction in Meissner corpuscles are members of the Piezo family of cationic ion channels. PIEZO2 has been detected in the axon of these sensory structures whereas no data exists about the occurrence and cell localization of PIEZO1. METHODS Skin samples (n = 18) from the palmar aspect of the distal phalanx of the first and second fingers were analysed (8 female and 10 males; age range 26 to 61 26-61 years). Double immunofluorescence for PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 together with axonal or terminal glial cell markers was captured by laser confocal microscopy, and the percentage of PIEZOs positive Meissner corpuscles was evaluated. RESULTS MCs from human fingers showed variable morphology and degree of lobulation. Regarding the basic immunohistochemical profile, in all cases the axons were immunoreactive for neurofilament proteins, neuron specific enolase and synaptophysin, while the lamellar cells displayed strong S100P immunoreactivity. PIEZO1 was detected co-localizing with axonal markers, but never with terminal glial cell markers, in the 56% of Meissner corpuscles; weak but specific immunofluorescence was additionally detected in the epidermis, especially in basal keratinocytes. Similarly, PIEZO2 immunoreactivity was found restricted to the axon in the 85% of Meissner corpuscles. PIEZO2 positive Merkel cells were also regularly found. CONCLUSIONS PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 are expressed exclusively in the axon of a subpopulation of human digital Meissner corpuscles, thus suggesting that not only PIEZO2, but also PIEZO1 may be involved in the mechanotransduction from low-threshold mechanoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda García-Mesa
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Grupo SINPOS, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Patricia Cuendias
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Grupo SINPOS, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Marta Alonso-Guervós
- Unidad de Microscopía Fotónica y Análisis de Imágenes, Servicios Científico-Técnicos, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Jorge García-Piqueras
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Grupo SINPOS, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain; Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
| | - Benjamín Martín-Biedma
- Departamento de Cirugía y Especialidades Médico-Quirúrgicas, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Teresa Cobo
- Departamento de Cirugía y Especialidades Médico-Quirúrgicas, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain; Instituto Asturiano de Odontología, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Olivia García-Suárez
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Grupo SINPOS, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain.
| | - José A Vega
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Grupo SINPOS, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
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Martín-Cruces J, Martín-Biedma B, García-Mesa Y, Cuendias P, Gaite JJ, García-Suárez O, Cobo JL, Vega JA. Exploring somatosensory innervation of the human lip: A focus on the vermilion. Ann Anat 2023; 250:152159. [PMID: 37741584 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2023.152159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lips are a vital component of the face and are densely innervated to perform various functions. The lip edges are covered with mucocutaneous tissue called vermilion which is particularly receptive to touch and temperature. The aim of this study was to investigate the somatosensory innervation of human lips, focusing on sensory corpuscles and the presence of mechano-gated (ASIC2, PIEZO2, and TRPV4) and thermosensing (TRPV1, TRPM2, and RPM8) ion channels within them. METHODS Twelve intact lips (6 upper and 6 lower) were obtained from non-embalmed frozen cadavers (five females and seven males) with an age range of 60-80 years. The specimens were divided into three zones (medial, lateral, and median). The morphotypes of sensory corpuscles and their immunohistochemical profile was analysed. The occurrence of ion channels involved in mechanosensation and temperature detection was examined using various antibodies. Sensory corpuscle density was quantified in vermilion sections, and statistical analyses were conducted to assess differences between the upper and lower lips, as well as between females and males (p < 0.05). RESULTS Different morphotypes of sensory corpuscles were identified: Ruffini-like associated with hair follicles, Meissner and glomerular corpuscles in the vermilion, and less classifiable sensory corpuscles within the mucosa. The density of sensory corpuscles in the vermilion was higher in the upper lip than in the lower lip; glomerular corpuscles predominated in the medial and median segments, whereas Meissner corpuscles were more abundant in the lateral segment. No sex-related differences were observed in the density or distribution of the two main corpuscular morphotypes. In contrast, the axons of both the glomeruli and Meissner corpuscles regularly displayed ASIC2 and PIEZO2 immunoreactivity, whereas immunoreactivity for TRPV1, TRPV4, TRPM2, and TRPV8 was absent. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that the sensory corpuscles of the vermilion are a mixture of those typical of glabrous skin mucocutaneous tissues. The presence of PIEZO2 and ASIC2 in their axons suggests that these sensory corpuscles function as mechanosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Martín-Cruces
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular - Grupo SINPOs, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Benjamín Martín-Biedma
- Departamento de Cirugía y Especialidades Médico-Quirúrgicas, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Yolanda García-Mesa
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular - Grupo SINPOs, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Patricia Cuendias
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular - Grupo SINPOs, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Juan J Gaite
- Unidad Dental, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Olivia García-Suárez
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular - Grupo SINPOs, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Juan L Cobo
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular - Grupo SINPOs, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Servico de Cirugía Maxillofacial, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - José A Vega
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular - Grupo SINPOs, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Facutad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
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Lam RM, von Buchholtz LJ, Falgairolle M, Osborne J, Frangos E, Servin-Vences MR, Nagel M, Nguyen MQ, Jayabalan M, Saade D, Patapoutian A, Bönnemann CG, Ryba NJP, Chesler AT. PIEZO2 and perineal mechanosensation are essential for sexual function. Science 2023; 381:906-910. [PMID: 37616369 DOI: 10.1126/science.adg0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Despite the potential importance of genital mechanosensation for sexual reproduction, little is known about how perineal touch influences mating. We explored how mechanosensation affords exquisite awareness of the genitals and controls reproduction in mice and humans. Using genetic strategies and in vivo functional imaging, we demonstrated that the mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO2 (piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 2) is necessary for behavioral sensitivity to perineal touch. PIEZO2 function is needed for triggering a touch-evoked erection reflex and successful mating in both male and female mice. Humans with complete loss of PIEZO2 function have genital hyposensitivity and experience no direct pleasure from gentle touch or vibration. Together, our results help explain how perineal mechanoreceptors detect the gentlest of stimuli and trigger physiologically important sexual responses, thus providing a platform for exploring the sensory basis of sexual pleasure and its relationship to affective touch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby M Lam
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Brown-National Institutes of Health Graduate Partnerships Program, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | | | - Melanie Falgairolle
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jennifer Osborne
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Eleni Frangos
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - M Rocio Servin-Vences
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Maximilian Nagel
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Minh Q Nguyen
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Monessha Jayabalan
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Dimah Saade
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ardem Patapoutian
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Carsten G Bönnemann
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nicholas J P Ryba
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alexander T Chesler
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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6
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Qi L, Iskols M, Handler A, Ginty DD. Krause corpuscles of the genitalia are vibrotactile sensors required for normal sexual behavior. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.14.545006. [PMID: 37398085 PMCID: PMC10312780 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.14.545006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Krause corpuscles, first discovered in the 1850s, are enigmatic sensory structures with unknown physiological properties and functions found within the genitalia and other mucocutaneous tissues. Here, we identified two distinct somatosensory neuron subtypes that innervate Krause corpuscles of the mouse penis and clitoris and project to a unique sensory terminal region of the spinal cord. Using in vivo electrophysiology and calcium imaging, we found that both Krause corpuscle afferent types are A-fiber rapid-adapting low-threshold mechanoreceptors, optimally tuned to dynamic, light touch and mechanical vibrations (40-80 Hz) applied to the clitoris or penis. Optogenetic activation of male Krause corpuscle afferent terminals evoked penile erection, while genetic ablation of Krause corpuscles impaired intromission and ejaculation of males as well as reduced sexual receptivity of females. Thus, Krause corpuscles, which are particularly dense in the clitoris, are vibrotactile sensors crucial for normal sexual behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Qi
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Michael Iskols
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Annie Handler
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
| | - David D. Ginty
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
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7
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Folwell MJ, Sanders KL, Brennan PLR, Crowe-Riddell JM. First evidence of hemiclitores in snakes. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221702. [PMID: 36515117 PMCID: PMC9748774 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Female genitalia are conspicuously overlooked in comparison to their male counterparts, limiting our understanding of sexual reproduction across vertebrate lineages. This study is the first complete description of the clitoris (hemiclitores) in female snakes. We describe morphological variation in size and shape (n = 9 species, 4 families) that is potentially comparable to the male intromittent organs in squamate reptiles (hemipenes). Dissection, diffusible iodine contrast-enhanced micro-CT and histology revealed that, unlike lizard hemiclitores, the snake hemiclitores are non-eversible structures. The two individual hemiclitores are separated medially by connective tissue, forming a triangular structure that extends posteriorly. Histology of the hemiclitores in Australian death adders (Acanthophis antarcticus) showed erectile tissue and strands/bundles of nerves, but no spines (as is found in male hemipenes). These histological features suggest the snake hemiclitores have functional significance in mating and definitively show that the hemiclitores are not underdeveloped hemipenes or scent glands, which have been erroneously indicated in other studies. Our discovery supports that hemiclitores have been retained across squamates and provides preliminary evidence of differences in this structure among snake species, which can be used to further understand systematics, reproductive evolution and ecology across squamate reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan J. Folwell
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Kate L. Sanders
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | | | - Jenna M. Crowe-Riddell
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia,School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia,Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA,Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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8
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Folwell M, Sanders K, Crowe-Riddell J. The Squamate Clitoris: A Review and Directions for Future Research. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:icac056. [PMID: 35662336 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The clitoris is a part of the genitalia of female amniotes that typically functions to stimulate sensory arousal. It usually consists of a small organ that is dimorphic and homologous to the penis. The developing amniote embryo forms a genital tubule, then sex hormones initiate a developmental cascade to form either a penis or clitoris. In squamates (lizards and snakes) the genital tubule develops into a paired hemiphallus structure called the "hemiclitores" in the female and the "hemipenes" in the male. The complex evolution of squamate hemipenes has been extensively researched since early discoveries in the 1800's, and this has uncovered huge diversity in hemipenis size, shape, and ornamentation (e.g., protrusions of spines, hooks, chalices, cups). In contrast, the squamate hemiclitoris has been conspicuously under investigated, and the studies that describe this anatomy are fraught with inconsistences. This paper aims to clarify the current state of knowledge of the squamate hemiclitoris, providing a foundation for further research on its morphology and functional role. We show that while several studies have described the gross anatomy of hemiclitores in lizards, comparative information is entirely lacking for snakes. Several papers cite earlier authors as having reported discoveries of the snake hemiclitores in vipers and colubrid snakes. However, our examination of this reveals only erroneous reports of hemiclitores in snakes and shows that these stem from misinterpretations of the true anatomy or species involved. An especially problematic source of confusion is the presence of intersex individuals in some snake populations; these form reproductively functional ovaries and a single hemipenis, with the latter sometimes mistaken for a hemiclitoris (the intersex hemipenis is usually smaller and less spinous than the male hemipenis). Further research is recommended to identify the defining anatomical features of the squamate hemiclitores. Such studies will form a vital basis of future comparative analyses of variation in female genitalia in squamates and other amniotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Folwell
- The University of Adelaide, Faculty of Biological Science
| | - Kate Sanders
- University of Adelaide, Faculty of Biological Science
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9
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Cepeda-Emiliani A, Gándara-Cortés M, Otero-Alén M, García H, Suárez-Quintanilla J, García-Caballero T, Gallego R, García-Caballero L. Immunohistological study of the density and distribution of human penile neural tissue: gradient hypothesis. Int J Impot Res 2022; 35:286-305. [PMID: 35501394 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-022-00561-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Immunohistological patterns of density and distribution of neural tissue in the human penis, including the prepuce, are not fully characterized, and effects of circumcision (partial or total removal of the penile prepuce) on penile sexual sensation are controversial. This study analyzed extra- and intracavernosal innervation patterns on the main penile axes using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human adult and fetal penile tissues, single- and double-staining immunohistochemistry and a variety of neural and non-neural markers, with a special emphasis on the prepuce and potential sexual effects of circumcision. Immunohistochemical profiles of neural structures were determined and the most detailed immunohistological characterizations to date of preputial nerve supply are provided. The penile prepuce has a highly organized, dense, afferent innervation pattern that is manifest early in fetal development. Autonomically, it receives noradrenergic sympathetic and nitrergic parasympathetic innervation. Cholinergic nerves are also present. We observed cutaneous and subcutaneous neural density distribution biases across our specimens towards the ventral prepuce, including a region corresponding in the adult anatomical position (penis erect) to the distal third of the ventral penile aspect. We also describe a concept of innervation gradients across the longitudinal and transverse penile axes. Results are discussed in relation to the specialized literature. An argument is made that neuroanatomic substrates underlying unusual permanent penile sensory disturbances post-circumcision are related to heightened neural levels in the distal third of the ventral penile aspect, which could potentially be compromised by deep incisions during circumcision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Cepeda-Emiliani
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Marina Gándara-Cortés
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Department of Pathology, University Clinical Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Otero-Alén
- Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Heidy García
- National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Colombia, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Juan Suárez-Quintanilla
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Tomás García-Caballero
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Department of Pathology, University Clinical Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rosalía Gallego
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lucía García-Caballero
- Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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10
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García-Mesa Y, García-Piqueras J, Cuendias P, Cobo R, Martín-Cruces J, Feito J, García-Suarez O, Biedma BM, Vega J. SYNAPTOPHYSIN IS A SELECTIVE MARKER FOR AXONS IN HUMAN CUTANEOUS END ORGAN COMPLEXES. Ann Anat 2022; 243:151955. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2022.151955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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