Effects of hypercholesterolemic diet by long-term on elastic system fibers penile tissue: volumetric density analysis of elastic system fibers

The aim of the study was to assess the volumetric density of Elastic System Fibers (ESF) in the Corpus cavernosum (CC) of the penis of hypercholesterolemic rabbits by long-term. Fourteen New Zealand white rabbits were used. Hypercholesterolemia was induced at 6 months of age in 07 rabbits by oral. Two doses of 10 ml of chicken egg yolk offered at 7 am and 11 am (hypercholesterolemic group) for 24 weeks. The remaining 07 rabbits served as a control group. After 24 weeks, the rabbits were killed using sodium thiopenthal. Midshaft penile fragments were obtained and processed by routine histological techniques. Stereological analysis of ESF was performed in 5-mu m sections by using a M42 test grid system. Data were expressed as volumetric density (%) and Mann-Whitney U test was used and statistical significance was considered when P < 0.05. In the CC of hypercholesterolemic rabbits, the ESF were decreased by 38.6% (P < 0.0006). Penile tissue was affected by long-term of experimental hypercholesterolemia, possibly these changes could have an impact on penile structure during erection, and therefore might adversely affect erection maintenance.