PHYSIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF NEURAL PATHWAYS INVOLVED IN REFLEXOGENIC PENILE ERECTION IN THE RAT

To elucidate neural pathways responsible for the occurrence of reflexo genic erections, the response of the corpus cavernosum to electrical s timulation of the dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP) was measured in anes thetized, acutely spinalized rats. Stimulation elicited a dramatic inc rease in intracavernous pressure (ICP). ICP response was decreased by 70% after sectioning the pelvic nerve homolaterally to the stimulated DNP and abolished after bilateral section. ICP response was not impair ed by curarization, but its latency was lengthened. Thus we physiologi cally evidenced a reflex loop independent from supraspinal centers bet ween DNP and the pelvic nerve supporting penile reflexogenic erection.