Fibrosis and Loss of Smooth Muscle in the Corpora Cavernosa Precede Corporal Veno-Occlusive Dysfunction (CVOD) Induced by Experimental Cavernosal Nerve Damage in the Rat

CVOD develops in the BCNR rat as a result of the early loss of corporal SMC by the neuropraxia-induced apoptosis, which the initial cell replication response cannot counteract, followed by fibrosis. The time course of iNOS induction supports the antifibrotic role of iNOS. Ferrini MG, Kovanecz I, Sanchez S, Umeh C, Rajfer J, and Gonzalez-Cadavid NF. Fibrosis and loss of smooth muscle in the corpora cavernosa precede corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction (CVOD) induced by experimental cavernosal nerve damage in the rat. J Sex Med 2009;6:415-428.