Objective: We aimed to investigate the expression of melanocortin 4 (MC4R), oxytocin receptors (OR) and androgen receptors (AR) in the distal vagina by immunohistochemical method and to examine the correlation with the FSFI scores.

Materials and Methods: In this study, samples were taken from the distal vaginal tissue removed during the colporrhaphy anterior operation of the patients, after the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scale was filled preoperatively by 41 patients diagnosed with cystocele and vaginoplasty request between 2020 and 2021. OR, MC4R and AR antibodies were applied to the biopsy samples immunohistochemically. Histoscore was established based on the degree of immunoreactivity in staining. The results were evaluated statistically.

Results: In the immunohistochemical evaluation of the anterior distal vagina, MC4R was detected by cytoplasmic staining; detected in squamous epithelium. OR was detected by cytoplasmic and membranous staining in muscle tissue, stromal and vascular endothelial cells. AR was detected in stromal and vascular endothelial cells by nuclear staining. There was no significant difference in terms of MC4R and AR staining intensity, FSFI sub-dimensions and total score. When the FSFI scores were compared, the desire, arousal, orgasm and FSFI total scores of those with OR 2+ staining were found to be significantly higher than those with 1+ staining.

Conclusion: In conclusion, our study immunohistochemically confirms the presence of MC4R, OR and AR in the human vagina and suggests that the intensity of OR immunoreactivity is positively related to sexual functions.