title: Effects of natriuretic peptides on intracavernous pressure and blood pressure in conscious rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Natriuretic peptides activate particulate guanylyl cyclases and have been shown to induce penile erection in rats, rabbits, and humans.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on intracavernous pressure (ICP) and systemic blood pressure (BP) in conscious, free-moving rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  ICP and BP were measured in male Sprague-Dawley rats after catheters were inserted into the crus corpus cavernosum and carotid artery, respectively. Natriuretic peptides were given by intravenous bolus (3, 10, and 30 nmol/kg) or continuous (0.1 and 1 nmol/kg/minute) administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  The number of animals with increases in ICP were determined. Amplitudes and durations of ICP responses and changes in BP were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More animals had multiple transient increases of ICP in response to ANP and BNP than to CNP. The increases in ICP were transient and appeared to be an "all or none" response. ANP and BNP decreased BP more than CNP, especially with bolus administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings show that in rats, erectile responses can be initiated by ANP, BNP, and less effectively, by CNP. ANP and BNP have a high affinity for the natriuretic peptide receptor-A, suggesting that this receptor is involved in the responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan. n-aizawa@hsp.md.shinshu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aizawa
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ishizuka
authors.forename: Teruyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Hiroya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mizusawa
authors.forename: Yasuhiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Igawa
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nishizawa
authors.forename: Karl-Erik
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Andersson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D045265:Natriuretic Peptides; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor