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Intracavernous pressure changes during reflexive penile erections in the rat
J Bernabé1, O Rampin, F Giuliano
1Laboratoire de Neurobiologie Végétative, I.N.R.A., Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Physiology & Behavior
|May 1, 1995
Summary
This study quantifies intracavernous pressure (ICP) during reflexive erections in rats, revealing specific ICP variations linked to distinct penile responses and corpus cavernosum involvement.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Urology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Reflexogenic penile erections are known in rats.
- The precise role of the corpus cavernosum in these reflex responses remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess intracavernous pressure (ICP) changes during specific penile reflex responses in awake rats.
- To elucidate the involvement of the corpus cavernosum in mediating reflexive erections.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a telemetric device to record ICP in 10 awake rats.
- Monitored ICP and observed penile reflex responses (body lengthening, glans erection, cups, flips) during ex copula tests.
Main Results:
- Each penile response correlated with a unique ICP variation.
- Mean maximal ICP increases ranged from 58.6 mmHg (body lengthening) to 215.2 mmHg (flips).
- A 35.1 mmHg ICP increase preceded each response cluster, with tumescence during glans erection and suprasystolic peaks during flips.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first quantitative data on corpus cavernosum function during reflexive erections in rats.
- ICP measurements offer new insights into the physiological mechanisms underlying reflexive erections.