Human Penile Hemodynamics Studied by a Polarographic Method

Abstract

Observations of the tissue oxygen tension alteration were made using an open tip type oxygen electrode polarographic method as an index of blood flow change in the penile skin, corpus cavernosum and thigh skin of 16 males aged 20-26 years (average age: 20.5 years). In another five males aged 18-21 (average age: 19.8 years) the relationship between corpus cavernosum tissue oxygen tension alteration and penile circumference change in the erection process was observed. This relation was obtained in the penile circulation model, and penile hemodynamics were ascertained. In the flaccid penis the corpus cavernosum contains low-oxygen blood and there is a blockade at the vascular tree in the corpus cavernosum. In the tumescence phase the blood flow of the corpus cavernosum increased suddenly by the relief of cavernosum vascular blockade. During the penile tumescence phase the increased inflow and outflow persisted in corpus cavernosum, and in penile skin the blood also increased initially, but gradually decreased as penile circumference increased. After erection was attained it is thought that resistance to inflow occurred by outflow pathway contraction. In the detumescence phase, a decrease of inflow and a concomitant increase of outflow occurred and the reopening of outflow is thought to be necessary for prompt penile detumescence.

Increase in Venous Outflow From the Corpora cavernosa during Mild Erection in Dogs

“…We suspected that the hemodynamic condition in such an incomplete erection might be similar to that in an early phase of erection with an increased outflow described by Aoki et al [7] and that Shirai and Ishii [6] had recorded the outflow in mild or incomplete erection. In the present study, mild erection was experimentally induced using dogs, and the hemodynamic condition and morphological changes were examined.…”

“…How ever, Shirai and Ishii [6] observed a higher outflow rate in erection. Aoki et al [7] indicated an increased outflow at an early phase of erection and suggested that Shirai and Ishii [6] might have recorded outflow in such a phase. The present study usng dogs showed that the cavernous out flow rate was high in mild erection, though it was restricted in full erection, and supposed that Shirai and Ishii [6] might have monitored outflow in mild erection.…”

“…Many researchers have dem onstrated a restricted outflow during erection [1][2][3][4][5], Us ing the l33Xe clearance method, however, Shirai and Ishii [6] observed that it was not inhibited but was much higher in the erect state than in the flaccid state. A polarographic study by Aoki et al [7] indicated that, at an early phase of erection, outflow rate as well as inflow rate were higher than in the flaccid state, while both rates were gradually lowered as penile circumference increased; they suggested that Shirai and Ishii [6] probably recorded the increased outflow rate during an early phase of erection.…”

Cavernous oxygen tension in the patients with erectile dysfunction

“…3,4,9,10,11,13 Sattar et al 11 reported that after injection of PGE 1 , the mean cavernous pO 2 in the control group was signi®cantly different from that in the venogenic and the arteriogenic groups. Furthermore, our data reveal that the femoral artery pO 2 results as well as cavernous pO 2 and sO 2 results following intracavernosal papaverine injection were different in patients with organic erectile dysfunction compared to patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction.…”

“…2,3,9,10 In the penile tumescence phase, parasympathetic stimulation or intracavernosal injection of drugs enhances intracavernosal pO 2 to arterial levels by increased blood¯ow. 2±4,9,10 At these pO 2 levels, autonomic dilator nerves and the endothelium are able to synthesize NO mediating cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation that is necessary for penile erection.…”