Ultrastructural Characterization of Corpus Cavernosum of Ageing, Orchidectomy and Diabetes Rat Experimental Models

Small vessels of the penis are very sensitive to structural and functional changes, and small disturbances can conduce to any degree of erectile dysfunction (ED). For this motive, ED is now considered as an early manifestation of atherosclerosis and consequently a precursor of systemic vascular disease. Ageing, diabetes and hipogonadic states are recognized risk factors for ED, contributing together to vascular damage of penile tissue. Penile trabeculae of corpus cavernosum in the rat, constituted by connective tissue with abundant collagen fibrils, scarce fibroblasts and fibroelastic components, support smooth muscle fibers in subendothelium location. Corpus cavernosum structural elements act in concert, allowing increase of intra-cavernous arterial flow and smooth muscle relaxing, processes which are fundamental to penis erection. The purpose of this study is to clarify ultrastructural organization of corpus cavernosum of experimental rat models of known ED-risk factors.