¹Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, terreo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Correspondence: Dr F Sampaio, Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Av 28 de Setembro 87, Fundos, Predio FCC, terreo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. E-mail: sampaio@uerj.br

Received 30 May 2005; Revised 10 August 2005; Accepted 18 August 2005; Published online 13 October 2005.

Abstract

The corpus cavernosum (CC) extracellular matrix is essential for normal penile erection and is implicated in erectile dysfunction. Although investigations of these issues have used the rabbit CC, organization of its components is not well known to date. We characterized and quantified the volumetric density (Vv) of the elastic system fibers in the corpus spongiosum (CS), CC and tunica albuginea (TA) of the rabbit penis. Adult New Zealand rabbits (n=10) were used. The penile mid-shaft fragments were fixed with 4% phosphate-buffered formalin solution and/or Bouin's liquid for 24–48 h, and processed using standard histological techniques. The sections were stained with Weigert's Fucsin–Resorcin with previous oxidation. The elastic system fibers Vv (%) was determined in 25 random fields of each fragment, using the M-42 test grid. The histochemical methods detected elastic system fibers in CS, CC and TA of all animals. The Vv of elastic fibers average was 25.032.0% for CC, 32.231.41% for CS and 22.383.61% for TA. Results for CC and CS were not significantly different. The great amount of elastic fibers distribution beneath the endothelium suggest that these fibers may have an important role in the erection process in rabbits. The present data should therefore provide important information for devising experiments and interpreting results when using the rabbit penis as a model for penile dysfunctions, especially when making comparisons with humans.