Expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 in penile tissue from rats with bilateral cavernosal nerve ablation.

Objective: To explore the expression of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta1) in penile tissue from rats after bilateral cavernosal nerve (CN) ablation, mimicking patients who have had no nerve-sparing during prostatectomy.

Materials And Methods: Ten adult male rats (neurectomy group) had a bilateral CN resection aseptically under an operating microscope, with six sham-operated rats as controls. Fifteen weeks after surgery an apomorphine test was used in all rats to assess penile erection.