Korean J Urol.  1995 Apr;36(4):377-385.

Effect of Nitric Oxide on Penile Erection in Rats

• Jang TG
• Suh JK

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to have a strong relaxant effect in various biological organs including blood vessels and corpus cavernosum. The goal of the present study was to investigate the role of NO on penile erection in vivo. In 42 adult (250-350 gm) Sprague Dawley rats, we observed cavernosal and systemic response to cavernous nerve stimulation (1 Hz. 3-5 volt), intracavernosal injection of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor , L-arginine hydrochloride and guanylate cyclase inhibitor (methylene blue). Intracavernous injections of L-NOARG (0.000001M to 0.00lM, n=7) and L- NAME (0.000001M to 0.001M n=7) were found to suppress the nerve induced erection in concentration dependent manner. Subsequent intracavernous injection of L- arginine hydrochloride ( 0.0lM n=7) partially stored penile erection suppressed by L-NOARG (0.00lM) or L-NAME (0.00lM). Intracavernous injection of methylene blue (0.000001M to 0.000000lM n=7) suppressed both nerve induced erection and sodium nitroprusside (0.001M)-induced erection in concentration dependent manner. These results indicate that nitric oxide is a strong neurotransmitter that mediates penile erection, and that nitric oxide/cyclic GMP pathway is responsible for penile erection.

Keyword

Nitric oxide; Penile erection; Rat; Cyclic GMP

MeSH Terms

Adult
Animals
Arginine
Blood Vessels
Cyclic GMP
Guanylate Cyclase
Humans
Male
Methylene Blue
Neurotransmitter Agents
NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Nitric Oxide*
Nitroprusside
Penile Erection*
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Arginine
Cyclic GMP
Guanylate Cyclase
Methylene Blue
NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester
Neurotransmitter Agents
Nitric Oxide
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Nitroprusside