[The role nitric oxide and other neurotransmitter in canine penile erection]

Abstract

The role on nitric oxide and its relative factors (cGMP, cAMP, methylene blue) was studied in canine erection induced by stimulating pelvic nerves, and the effect of cholinergic neuroeffectors and the sinusoidal endothelium was also observed in this experiment. The results indicate that intracavernous injection of nitric oxide can evoke a penile tumescence, which is similar to that of the neurostimulation. The results also suggest that the cholinergic nerves and the sinusoidal endothelium are involved in erection, and the effect of the former must depend on mediation of the latter. The study supports that cholinergic and nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) neuroeffectors take part in penile erection, and nitric oxide may be one of chief NANC neurotransmitters.