Performing Cavernous Nerve Stimulation in Rats to Measure Intracavernous Pressure

Take an anesthetized rat with surgically exposed tunica albuginea, a connective tissue layer surrounding the cavernous body — the erectile tissue of the penis.

Next, make a midline abdominal incision to expose the prostate, retract it, and visualize the cavernous nerve.

Slide a suture under the nerve to elevate it and place the hooks of a bipolar electrode around the nerve.

Dry the nerve and secure it to the electrode with glue.

Take a heparinized saline-filled tubing connected to a needle and insert it through the tunica into the cavernous body.

Apply electrical impulses to stimulate the cavernous nerve, triggering neurotransmitter release.

These neurotransmitters stimulate the endothelial cells of the cavernous artery to produce nitric oxide, which diffuses into the smooth muscles of the cavernous body, inducing muscle relaxation.

This causes blood vessel dilation, increasing blood flow and pressure within the cavernous body with each impulse, recorded by the saline-filled tubing.

In this procedure, make a 2-centimeter lower midline abdominal incision through the skin. Create a matching incision through the fascia along the linea alba to expose the bladder and the prostate. Use t