[Buried penis decreases nitric oxide synthase of the corpus cavernosum].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the influence of buried penis on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity of the corpus cavernosum in rats.


METHODS
The experimental model of concealed penis was established by intra-pocket-suture of the root of the penis. Two hundred and forty rats were equally randomized into a 2, a 4 and a 6 months group, each further divided into a buried (n = 50), a sham operation (n = 15) and a normal subgroup (n = 15). The development of the corpus cavernosum was surveyed by measuring its weight and the ratio to the body weight, followed by determination of NOS activity in the corpus cavernosum by spectrophotometry.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found in the corpus cavernosum weight, the body weight and their ratio among the buried, sham operation and normal groups in any experimental stage (P > 0.05). Buried penis decreased NOS activity in the 4- and 6-month groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) compared with the normal group, but effected no significant change in the 2-month group.


CONCLUSIONS
Buried penis decreases the NOS activity of the corpus cavernosum in a positively time-related manner, but with no significant influence on its appearance and weight.
Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China.
Wei-Min
WM
Yu
Fan
F
Cheng
Xiao-Bin
XB
Zhang
Xiu-Heng
XH
Liu
Yue
Y
Xia
Ming-Huan
MH
Ge
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D010413:Penis / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000201:enzymology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013053:Spectrophotometry
D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase