Ejaculation Latency Time

Introduction.-Ejaculation is a neurological double reflex: The afferent reflex begins by stimulating penis receptors, then those stimulus travel through dorsal to pudendal nerves, sacral cord and finally to the hypothalamus. At the same time stimulation from the uretra goes to the ejaculatory centers located on segments S2-S4 .The efferent reflex is a response from the hypothalamus centers to parasympathetic nerves and ganglia. Those actions result in release of neurotransmitters, which depolarize perineal muscles, deferents, seminal vesicles, prostate and uretra muscles, and begin rhythmic contractions and seminal emission. Issues and method.- There are three states of sensitivity and response to sexual stimulation : Normal, hyposensitivity and hypersensitivity. To know the length of time of the whole reflex arc or partial afferent or efferent reflex as well as to find the ejaculation latency time we have used several tests: a) Vibratory threshold ejaculation test, which puts penis on a vibratory machine for a maximum of four minutes . It is normal if the patient can get a rigid erection but not an ejaculation. If the patient ejaculates less than 1 minute we can say that it is a high hypersensitivity. b).- For skin sensitivity tests we use an electrode, which is located in several skin places. The electrode emits progressive signals . For neurophysiological test (bulbocavernous reflex, evoked genitocerebral potentials, bulbocavernous latency time and evoked potentials, dorsal nerves latency time, sural and tibial nerves latency time, as check test), waves amplitude and morphology are so important as conduction times. Latency time is more important than evoked potentials because indicates pathways involved in the reflex and considers the ability of circuit to transmit signals. Evoked genito-cerebral potential reflects the ability of communication between brain and genital area. Conclusions.- Eventhough there are some factors that can interfere with electromyographic registration, these procedures are the best ones for neuro-conduction


Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Recorded: Sydney, Australia, April 2007