Effect of aging on penile ultrastructure.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify whether there are anatomical changes in tunica albuginea and corpora cavemosa in aged rats.


METHODS
Seventeen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups based on age. Group A consisted of young rats (9 weeks), Group B, middle aged rats (14 weeks) and Group C, old rats (62 weeks). The penile samples were obtained and observed under a scanning electron microscope.


RESULTS
The thickness (mean +/- SD) of the tunica albuginea was 0.14 +/- 0.02, 0.16 +/- 0.03 and 0.06 +/- 0.02 mm in Groups A, B and C, respectively. The tunica albuginea of group C was significantly thinner than those of the other two groups (P < 0.05) and the elastic fibers were diminished in the old rats. In the corpora cavernosa of old rats, the intracavernous pillars were irregular, in which many large collagen fibers could be observed, and the smooth muscle and elastic fibers were reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
In old rats, the tunica albuginea became thinner with diminished elastic fibers; the collagen fibers of corpora cavernosa were increased while the smooth muscle and elastic fibers were reduced.
Shen
Z J
ZJ
Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. shenzj@mail.hz.zj.cn
Jin
X D
XD
Chen
Z D
ZD
Shi
Y H
YH
D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010413:Penis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley