title: Functional Restoration of Erectile Function Using End-to-side Autonomic-to-somatic Neurorrhaphy in Rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of erectile function rehabilitation using end-to-side autonomic-to-somatic neurorrhaphy in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 12 per group): in the end-to-side coaptation group, the left L6 and S1 spinal nerves were transected, and the distal stump of L6 ventral root was sutured to L4 ventral root through end-to-side neurorrhaphy; in the no-coaptation group, the rats did not undergo coaptation; and in the control group, the left L6 and S1 spinal nerves were transected, but L6 ventral root was preserved. After 4 months, retrograde tracing, histomorphological technique, mating test, and evaluation of functional properties of the regenerated nerve were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mating test showed a significantly higher intromission behavior rate in the end-to-side coaptation group (41.7%) and control group (58.3%) than in the no-coaptation group (0%) (P < .001). Intracavernous pressure in end-to-side coaptation group was 31.6 ± 12.0 mmHg, significantly higher than in the no-coaptation group (3.1 ± 1.4 mmHg), but lower than in the control group (67.9 ± 18.0 mmHg) (P < .0001). Retrograde tracing indicated the establishment of the new neural pathway. Axon counting and ultrastructure observation confirmed axonal regeneration in the end-to-side coaptation group. The bilateral tibialis anterior muscles wet weight in the end-to-side coaptation group were 0.6686 ± 0.0427 g and 0.6707 ± 0.0515 g (P = .93). The wet weight and morphology of the tibialis anterior muscles revealed no detrimental effect on the donor nerve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nerve regeneration can be achieved using end-to-side autonomic-to-somatic neurorrhaphy, and erectile function can be restored without the functional impairment of the donor somatic nerve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang City, China; Department of Urology, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang City, China. Electronic address: dcj92501@163.com.
authors.forename: Chuanjiang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang City, China; Department of Urology, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang City, China.
authors.forename: Ziqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang City, China; Department of Urology, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang City, China.
authors.forename: Zonglan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang City, China; Department of Urology, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang City, China.
authors.forename: Lusheng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang City, China; Department of Urology, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang City, China.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang City, China; Department of Urology, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang City, China.
authors.forename: Qiaoli
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang City, China; Department of Urology, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang City, China.
authors.forename: Zheqi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang City, China; Department of Urology, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang City, China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000601:surgery; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000379:methods