To investigate the feasibility of erectile function rehabilitation using end-to-side autonomic-to-somatic neurorrhaphy in rats.
Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n =12 per group): end-to-side coaptation group: the left L6 and S1 spinal nerves were transected, and the distal stump of L6 ventral root (L6VR) was sutured to L4 ventral root (L4VR) through end-to-side neurorrhaphy; no-coaptation group: the rats did not undergo coaptation; and control group: the left L6 and S1 spinal nerves were transected, but L6VR was preserved. After 4 months, retrograde tracing, histomorphological technique, mating test, and evaluation of functional properties of the regenerated nerve were performed.
Mating test showed a significant higher in intro mission behaviors rate in end-to-side coaptation group(41.7%) and control group (58.3%)than no-coaptation group(0%)(P<0.001). Intracavernous pressure(ICP) in end-to-side coaptation group was (31.6 ± 12.0 mm Hg) significantly higher than no-coaptation group (3.1 ± 1.4 mmHg), but lower than control group (67.9 ± 18.0 mmHg) (P < 0.0001). Retrograde tracing indicated the establishment of the new neural pathway. Axon counting and ultrastructure observation confirmed axonal regeneration in end-to-side coaptation group. The bilateral tibialis anterior(TA) muscles wet weight in end-to-side coaptation group were 0.6686 ± 0.0427 g and 0.6707 ± 0.0515 g (P=0.93). The wet weight and morphology of the tibialis anterior muscles revealed no detrimental effect on the donor nerve.
Nerve regeneration can be achieved using end-to-side autonomic-to-somatic neurorrhaphy, and erectile function can be restored without the functional impairment of the donor somatic nerve.
Urology. 2016 May 24 [Epub ahead of print]
Chuanjiang Dong, Ziqiang Dong, Zonglan Xie, Lusheng Zhang, Fei Xiong, Qiaoli Wen, Zheqi Fan, Qing Peng
The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, China Three Gorges University, 443003, China. Electronic address: ., The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, China Three Gorges University, 443003, China., The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, China Three Gorges University, 443003, China., The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, China Three Gorges University, 443003, China., The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, China Three Gorges University, 443003, China., The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, China Three Gorges University, 443003, China., The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, China Three Gorges University, 443003, China., The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, China Three Gorges University, 443003, China.