[Effects on erectile function of transplanted major pelvic ganglion into the corpus cavernosum of adult rats with bilateral cavernous nerve injury].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects on erectile function of transplanted major pelvic ganglion into the corpus cavernosum of adult male rats undergoing transection of bilateral cavernous nerves.


METHODS
Twenty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats (3 - 4 month-old and 300 - 400 g/each) were divided into 2 groups: experimental group (transection of bilateral cavernous nerves and transplantation of left ganglion into left crus of penis, n = 16) and control group (transection of bilateral cavernous nerves only, n = 10). Erectile function was measured by injecting APO, and intracavernous pressure was measured 1 and 3 months afterwards by electric-stimulating the right major pelvic ganglion or the left crus. Half animals in each group were sacrificed 1 and 3 months afterwards for detecting nNOS-containing nerve fibers of corpus cavernosum. Electron microscopy of the implanted area was performed to assess neuronal survival.


RESULTS
Both of the two groups have no erectile response to APO injection. Electrostimulation on the right major pelvic ganglion and left crus failed to produce erection in experimental group. The mean pressure changes in the two groups, measured by stimulating the left crus, were (9.41 +/- 3.20) and (4.16 +/- 2.58) cmH(2)O 1 month afterwards, and (13.67 +/- 4.18) and (5.09 +/- 2.74) cmH(2)O 3 months afterwards, respectively (P < 0.05). An increased number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in left crus was detected in experimental group 1 and 3 months later, compared with control one (218.7 +/- 24.5, 18.0 +/- 3.7; 183.2 +/- 19.7, 19.0 +/- 3.8; P < 0.05). Ultrastructure examination by transmission electron microscope confirmed the survival of the implanted ganglion.


CONCLUSIONS
Major pelvic ganglion can survive in the corpus cavernosum, and it has significant effects on the number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers and the alteration of intracavernous pressure.
Cui
Dian-sheng
DS
Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
Hu
Li-quan
LQ
Li
Shi-wen
SW
Zheng
Xin-min
XM
D000818:Animals; D017763:Autonomic Denervation; D002447:Celiac Plexus / Q000601:surgery*; D005725:Ganglia, Autonomic / Q000637:transplantation*; D006085:Graft Survival; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D010413:Penis / Q000294:innervation* / Q000601:surgery; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase