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  • Title: Age decreases nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibers in the rat penis.
    Author: Carrier S, Nagaraju P, Morgan DM, Baba K, Nunes L, Lue TF.
    Journal: J Urol; 1997 Mar; 157(3):1088-92. PubMed ID: 9072549.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: To study the effect of aging on erectile function in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated: 1) the number and distribution of nerve fibers within the corpus cavernosum and dorsal nerve containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS); and 2) the erectile response to apomorphine (a central dopamine receptor agonist), electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve, and intracorporeal papaverine injection. RESULTS: The number of NOS-containing nerve fibers was significantly less in the old rats (24 months) than in the young (2.5 months) and intermediate (8.5 months)-aged (63.3 +/- 3.35 vs. 135.1 +/- 10.88 [p < or = 0.0002] and 127.8 +/- 11.65 [p < or = 0.0002]). The number of erections induced by apomorphine was significantly less in the old rats than in the young (1.0 +/- 3.1 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.26; p < 0.002). With electrostimulation, the latency period before the onset of the intracavernous pressure rise was noted to increase with age (2.3 +/- 0.24 sec. for the young vs. 6.77 +/- 0.98 sec. for the old, p < or = 0.0001). The maximal intracavernous pressure after intracavernous papaverine injection decreased with age. CONCLUSION: The erectile mechanism appears to remain intact as rats age, but the response to central and peripheral stimulation decreases. The reduction in NOS-containing nerve fibers might account for these observations.
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