Comparison of two cannulation methods for assessment of intracavernosal pressure in a rat model

Abstract

Intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurement is a well-established technique for assessing the erectile function, which was performed by cannulating either crus or shaft of the penis. However, there are no studies concerning the experimental performance of the two cannulation sites yet. The aim of this study was to compare the measuring outcomes using two different cannulation sites. To validate the capacity of our study, both normal and the castration-induced erectile dysfunction rat models were conducted. Fifty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized equally into two groups: an intact group and a castration group. Five rats from each group firstly underwent different stimulation parameters to detect the optimal erectile responses. The residual rats in each group were further assigned into two subgroups (n = 10 per subgroup) according to two different cannulation sites (crus or shaft of the corpus cavernosum). The ICP values were compared between groups after different interventions. The optimal parameters for mean maximum ICP were recorded at 2.5V and a frequency of 15 Hz. The rats under the two different cannulation sites tended to show similar ICP values in both the intact and the castration groups. However, the success rate in monitoring ICP was significantly higher in the groups cannulating into the shaft of the penis compared to the crus (100% vs. 70%; P = 0.02). Our data suggested that the method of cannulation into the penile shaft could serve as a better alternative for the ICP measurement in rats.

Reporting animal research: Explanation and elaboration for the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0

“…'Fifty 12-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 320-360g, were obtained from Guangdong Medical Laboratory Animal Center (Guangzhou, China) and randomly divided into two groups (25 rats/group): the intact group and the castration group. Random numbers were generated using the standard = RAND() function in Microsoft Excel' [75].…”

Myeloid lineage contributes to pathological choroidal neovascularization formation via SOCS3

“…Six-eight-week old mice per group were randomly divided into two groups: control group and treatment group. Mice were numbered with random numbers generated using the standard - RAND ()*10 function in Microsoft Excel [37] . Mice were euthanized at the indicated days after laser exposure.…”

Exertional heat stroke on fertility, erectile function, and testicular morphology in male rats

“…Second, we assessed the effects of EHS on scrotal temperature, plasma levels of testosterone, sperm viability, and histology of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle, and prostate. In addition, immediately right after the onset of EHS or 3 days after the onset of EHS, sexual behavioral ability (or penis erectile function) was evaluated in rats as detailed previously 14 . Upon understanding the relationship between EHS and reproduction capacity, it would be to use it as a biomarker for problems with recovery from heat stroke in males.…”

“…Immediately right after the onset of EHS or 3 days after the onset of EHS, erectile function was evaluated in anesthetized rats, and the bilateral major pelvic ganglion (MPG) and cavernous nerve (CN) were exposed as detailed previously 14 . Intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured.…”