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Age-associated changes in collagen content and its subtypes within rat corpora cavernosa with computerized
1Division of Andrology, Department of Urology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College and Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
Urology
|April 18, 2001
Summary
Collagen percentage in rat corpora cavernosa increases with age, particularly subtypes III and IV. This suggests collagen amount may only partially contribute to age-related erectile dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Aging Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Age-associated changes in erectile function are common.
- The role of extracellular matrix alterations, specifically collagen, in aging corpora cavernosa is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in total collagen and collagen subtypes I, III, and IV percentages in rat corpora cavernosa.
Main Methods:
- Corpora cavernosa from Wistar rats of three age groups (20, 40, 80 weeks) were analyzed.
- Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemical staining were used to quantify collagen and its subtypes.
- Automatic image analysis measured collagen percentage, area percentage, and relative proportion.
Main Results:
- Total collagen percentage in corpora cavernosa significantly increased with age (P=0.021).
- Collagen subtypes III and IV percentages also showed significant age-related increases (P=0.039 and P=0.019, respectively).
- Collagen subtype I percentage did not significantly increase with age (P=0.159), and relative proportions of subtypes remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- The total amount of collagen, especially subtypes III and IV, increases in rat corpora cavernosa with aging.
- These collagen quantity changes may only partly explain age-related erectile dysfunction.
- The relative proportions of collagen subtypes do not change with age.