Pathology of the penis in long-term diabetic rats

Pathological changes in the penis of long-term diabetic rats (greater than 1 year) include epidermal atrophy and lipid droplets in erectile tissue and dermis, as well as thickening of capillary basement membranes, dilatation and microaneurysms of capillaries, and atrophy and degeneration of erectile smooth muscle. These changes are similar to those previously described as occurring in other organs, but damage to nerves and smooth muscle can best be appreciated with electron microscopy.