Regeneration of Nitric Oxide Synthase-Containing Nerves After Cavernous Nerve Neurotomy in the Rat

AbstractIn patients who recover erectile function after radical prostatectomy (with preservation of at least 1 neurovascular bundle), a recovery time of 6 to 18 months is not uncommon. As this is also the usual time required for regeneration of spinal nerves, we believe that regeneration of cavernous nerves, partially damaged inadvertently, may be responsible. In a rat model, we examined the long-term effect of unilateral and bilateral cavernous nerve transection on the nonadrenergic/noncholinergic (NANC) nervous system and erectile function.In 31 rats, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the enzyme that catalyzes nitric oxide production, was identified in penile nerve fibers from a mid-shaft segment with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase staining and antibody to neuronal NOS. Animals were divided into three groups: 5 rats underwent pelvic exploration without transection of cavernous nerves (sham group); 13 rats underwent unilateral neurotomy of a 5-mm. segment of the cavernous nerve...