Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Intracavernosal Pressure Recording to Evaluate Erectile Function in Rodents
Published on: June 6, 2018
[The concentration of HO-2 and CO in rat penile tissue of different ages]
1Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin 300211, China. dragon-hu@hotmail.com
Objective:
To compare the distribution of heme oxygenase-2 and concentration of carbon monoxide in rat penile tissue of 8, 16 and 24 months and investigate the relationship between the system of HO-2/CO and aging.
Methods:
Using SABC immunohistochemistry staining, image analysis system and the method of carboxyhemoglobin standard curve, the distribution of heme oxygenase-2 and concentration of carbon monoxide in different month rat penile tissues were investigated.
Results:
The penile arteries were surrounded by HO-2 positive cells, which were also seen in the trabecular meshwork of smooth muscle. Compared with other part of penile, the penile arteries adventitia and the endothelial cells of cavernous exhibited darker staining. With the increasing of rat's living month the staining of penile tissues turned faint and the concentration of carbon monoxide in tissue decreased( P < 0.05 ). The imaging analysis system showed that the older the rat was the less HO-2 positive compositions contained (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
With aging the decreasing concentration of HO-2 leads to the downfgt-regulation in rat penile tissue.
