Cavernous Nerve Stimulation and Recording of Intracavernous Pressure in a Rat

The stimulation of the cavernous nerve (CN) and measurement of intracavernous pressure (ICP) have been used extensively to test and evaluate therapies for erectile dysfunction. However, the methods used vary between laboratories, and pitfalls still exist. The goal of this study was to describe a surgical technique that would provide a reliable and reproducible model. By exposing the ischiocavernosus muscle at its point of insertion on the ischial tuberosity, the penile crus could be cannulated with minimal dissection and injury to the structures involved in erectile function. Repeated stimulation of the CN, without the need for lifting and drying, was achieved by using a 125 µm bipolar silver electrode and biocompatible silicon glue to isolate the electrode-nerve complex. This method prevents neuropraxia by reducing stretching and drying the nerve and provides complete isolation of the nerve, negating electrical leakage and preventing stimulation of alternative pathways.

Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE. 2018 Apr 23*** epublish ***

Morten Hox, Travis Mann-Gow, Lars Lund, Peter Zvara

Biomedical Laboratory and the Research Unit of Urology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark., Department of Surgery, University of Vermont., Research Unit of Urology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark; Department of Urology, Odense University Hospital., Biomedical Laboratory and the Research Unit of Urology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark; Department of Urology, Odense University Hospital; .