LEVELS OF NITRIC-OXIDE METABOLITES DO NOT INCREASE DURING PENILE ERECTION

Cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation, one of the primary events in peni le erection, is initiated by the synthesis and release of nitric oxide (NO) from the neurons of the cavernosa. The present study was underta ken to determine whether or not serum levels of NO metabolites rise du ring an erection. Since NO is rapidly converted into nitrites and nitr ates, we measured these serum levels in the peripheral and cavernosal blood of 15 potent adult male volunteers who were exposed to erotic st imuli in order to elicit a penile erection. Our data demonstrate that both nitrite and nitrate levels in the peripheral and cavernosal blood do not appreciably change during and immediately following an erectio n. This indicates that the determination of whether or not abnormaliti es in the synthesis and release of NO play any role in erectile dysfun ction will require alternative testing methods.