Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Intracavernosal Pressure Recording to Evaluate Erectile Function in Rodents
Published on: June 6, 2018
The neuroprotective effect of platelet-rich plasma on erectile function in bilateral cavernous nerve injury rat model
Chien-Chih Wu1, Yi-No Wu, Hsiu-O Ho
1School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Introduction:
Neurogenic erectile dysfunction resulting from cavernous nerve (CN) injury is a major complication caused by radical prostatectomy. The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the nerve-injured site has shown promising results for the nerve regeneration. However, the effects of PRP injection in corpus cavernosum after bilateral CN injury have never been investigated.
Aim:
To assess the neuroprotective effect of PRP injection in corpus cavernosum after bilateral CN injury.
Methods:
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group I underwent sham operation, while the remaining two groups underwent bilateral CN crush. Crush injury groups were treated at the time of injury with an application of PRP or normal saline only injection in the corpus cavernosum, respectively. Four weeks later, erectile function (EF) was assessed by CN electrosimulation, and CNs as well as penile tissue were collected for histology.
Main Outcome Measures:
Intracavernous pressure (ICP) monitored during electrical stimulation of CNs; myelinated axons number of CNs and dorsal penile nerve; collagen type change, number of apoptotic cells, and mRNA expression of caspase-3 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the corpus cavernosum.
Results:
Four weeks after surgery, in the vehicle-only group, the functional evaluation showed a lower mean maximal ICP than that in the sham group (P < 0.05). PRP treatments resulted in significant recovery of EF, as compared with the vehicle-only group (P < 0.05). Histologically, the PRP-treated group had a significant preservation of myelinated axons of CNs compared with the vehicle-only group (P < 0.05) and reduced the apoptotic index. The mRNA expression of TGF-β1 in the corpus cavernosum tissue was significantly decreased in the PRP group compared with the vehicle-only group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
PRP injection in the corpus cavernosum increased the number of myelinated axons and facilitated recovery of EF in the bilateral CN injury rat model.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Plasma Membrane in Bacteria and Archaea
Structure and Function of Platelets
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000...
Formation of the Platelet Plug
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
Composition of Blood Plasma
Enlargement of the Plasma Membrane
Nerve Supply of the GI Tract
The enteric nervous system consists of two major plexuses: the myenteric plexus (Auerbach's plexus) and the submucosal plexus (Meissner's plexus). These plexuses are located within the layers of...

