Aim: To investigate the effect of cavernous nerve injury on the nNOS-containing nerve fibers in rat corpus cavernosum. Methods: Thirty-three male SD rats were randomized into 3 groups: 5 rats underwent pelvic exploration without transection of cavernous nerve as the sham-operated controls, the unilateral injury group (14 rats) had the cavernous nerve cut on one side, and the bilateral injury group (14 rats) had the nerves cut on both sides. Corpora cavernosa were harvested at the 3rd week and 6th month after surgery. nNOS-positive nerve fibers were examined with strepavidin peroxidase immunohistochemistry techniques (SP method). Results: After bilateral ablation, the nNOS-positive nerve fibers were significantly decreased at both the 3rd week (174) and the 6th month (164). For the unilateral injury group, the nNOS-positive nerve fibers were similarly decreased on the side of the neurotomy at the 3rd week (186), but by the 6th month, the number increased significantly (619) and approximated the level on the contralateral side (8113). Conclusion: In rats after unilateral cavernous nerve ablation, nNOS-containing nerve fibers might regenerate 6 months after operation, but regeneration did not occur in animals with bilateral cavernous nerve injury. Results suggest that during pelvic radical surgery, the cavernous nerve should be preserved at least on one side in order to accomplish adequate regeneration.

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