Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Intracavernous Pressure Recording in a Cavernous Nerve Injury Rat Model
Published on: September 20, 2021
Functional and structural changes in internal pudendal arteries underlie erectile dysfunction induced by androgen
Rh Ure Alves-Lopes1, Karla B Neves1,2, Marcondes Ab Silva1
1Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
None:
Androgen deficiency is strongly associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). Inadequate penile arterial blood flow is one of the major causes of ED. The blood flow to the corpus cavernosum is mainly derived from the internal pudendal arteries (IPAs); however, no study has evaluated the effects of androgen deprivation on IPA's function. We hypothesized that castration impairs IPAs reactivity and structure, contributing to ED. In our study, Wistar male rats, 8-week-old, were castrated and studied 30 days after orchiectomy. Functional and structural properties of rat IPAs were determined using wire and pressure myograph systems, respectively. Protein expression was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Plasma testosterone levels were determined using the IMMULITE 1000 Immunoassay System. Castrated rats exhibited impaired erectile function, represented by decreased intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure ratio. IPAs from castrated rats exhibited decreased phenylephrine- and electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced contraction and decreased acetylcholine- and EFS-induced vasodilatation. IPAs from castrated rats exhibited decreased internal diameter, external diameter, thickness of the arterial wall, and cross-sectional area. Castration decreased nNOS and α-actin expression and increased collagen expression, p38 (Thr180/Tyr182) phosphorylation, as well as caspase 3 cleavage. In conclusion, androgen deficiency is associated with impairment of IPA reactivity and structure and increased apoptosis signaling markers. Our findings suggest that androgen deficiency-induced vascular dysfunction is an event involving hypotrophic vascular remodeling of IPAs.
Related Concept Videos
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Male Sexual Response: Erection & Ejaculation
The blood filling the erectile tissues compresses the veins, which helps to prevent blood from leaving...
Abdominal Aorta
The celiac trunk, a singular artery, divides into the left gastric artery, which...
Penis
Anatomy of the Penis
The glans penis, or the head, is the terminal part of the penis and houses the external urethral orifice, the exit point for urine and semen. Covered by the prepuce, or foreskin, the glans is noted for its sensitivity and plays a key role in sexual pleasure. The body of the...

