摘要
Aim: To clarify whether there are anatomical changes in tunica albuginea and corpora cavernosa in aged rats. Meth-ods: Seventeen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups based on age. Group A consisted of youngrats (9 weeks), Group B, middle aged rats (14 weeks) and Group C, old rats (62 weeks). The penile samples wereobtained and observed under a scanning electron microscope. Results: The thickness (mean ± SD) of the tunica al-buginea was 0.14±0.02, 0.16±0.03 and 0.06±0.02 mm in Groups A, B and C, respectively. The tunica albug-inea of group C was significantly thinner than those of the other two groups (P < 0.05) and the elastic fibers were di-minished in the old rats. In the corpora cavernosa of old rats, the intracavernous pillars were irregular, in which manylarge collagen fibers could be observed, and the smooth muscle and elastic fibers were reduced. Conclusion; In oldrats, the tunica albuginea became thinner with diminished elastic fibers; the collagen fibers of corpora cavernosa wereincreased while the smooth muscle and elastic fibers were reduced. (Asian J Androl 2001 Dec; 3: 281 - 284 )
Aim: To clarify whether there are anatomical changes in tunica albuginea and corpora cavernosa in aged rats. Meth-ods: Seventeen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups based on age. Group A consisted of youngrats (9 weeks), Group B, middle aged rats (14 weeks) and Group C, old rats (62 weeks). The penile samples wereobtained and observed under a scanning electron microscope. Results: The thickness (mean ± SD) of the tunica al-buginea was 0.14±0.02, 0.16±0.03 and 0.06±0.02 mm in Groups A, B and C, respectively. The tunica albug-inea of group C was significantly thinner than those of the other two groups (P < 0.05) and the elastic fibers were di-minished in the old rats. In the corpora cavernosa of old rats, the intracavernous pillars were irregular, in which manylarge collagen fibers could be observed, and the smooth muscle and elastic fibers were reduced. Conclusion; In oldrats, the tunica albuginea became thinner with diminished elastic fibers; the collagen fibers of corpora cavernosa wereincreased while the smooth muscle and elastic fibers were reduced. (Asian J Androl 2001 Dec; 3: 281 - 284 )
