Penile erection evoked by autonomic nerve stimulation in rats / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

To investigate role of autonomic nerves on penile erection and to further characterize the laboratory rat as animal model of penile erection, this experiment was performed by means of monitoring intracavernosal pressure following nerve stimulation in 46 rats. The results obtained were summarized as follows: Increased intracavernosal pressure as well as erection was observed following electrical stimulation( 1-10 volt, 0.5-5 Hz) on each autonomic nerve, although the hypogastric nerve required higher intensity of electrical stimuli than the parasympathetic nerve (pelvic or cavervnous nerve) to induce erectile response. Combined stimulation of the pelvic nerve and the hypogastric nerve resulted in synergistic increase of intracavernosal pressure. These results indicate the hypogastric nerve may have a potential role in mediation of penile tumescence as the parasympathetic(pelvic or cavernous) nerve and that this rat model would contribute to the further study of penile erection.