Kataoka T, Hotta Y, Kimura K. A review of experimental techniques for erectile function researches and development of medical technology using animal erectile dysfunction models in sexual and reproductive medicine.
Reprod Med Biol 2023;
22:e12513. [PMID:
37020643 PMCID:
PMC10069627 DOI:
10.1002/rmb2.12513]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the causes of male infertility and is a disease that requires treatment. The first‐line drugs for ED are phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE‐5) inhibitors, and further treatment options are currently limited. Medical technologies, such as genetic control and regenerative medicine, are developing rapidly. Research on erectile function is progressing rapidly, coupled with technological innovations in other areas.
Methods
A PubMed search using the keywords “animal (rat, mouse, rabbit, dog, and monkey)” and “erectile” was conducted, and all relevant peer‐reviewed English results were evaluated.
Main findings
The methods for evaluating erectile function include intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurements, isometric tension studies, and dynamic infusion cavernosometry. Papers also reported various disease model animals for the study of diabetes mellitus, cavernous nerve injury, and drug‐induced ED.
Conclusion
Basic research on ED treatment has progressed rapidly over the past 20 years. In particular, research on the mechanism of ED has been accelerated by the publication of a study on the evaluation of erectile function using ICP measurements in rats. In addition, molecular biological experimental methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting have become relatively easy to perform due to technological progress, thus advancing research development.
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