Work

Localization and Expression of Pericytes in the Corpus Cavernosum of Castrated Rats

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the localization and expression of pericytes in the rat corpus cavernosum (CC) following testosterone deficiency induced by castration and after testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty 12-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to three groups: control (n=10), castration-only (n=10), and castration groups treated with daily testosterone propionate injections (n=10). After 4 weeks, markers for endothelial cells (ECs; CD34, Flk1, and VE-cadherin), pericytes (NG2), and smooth muscle cells (smooth muscle actin) were analyzed using immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. RESULTS: Confocal microscopy revealed that EC markers were predominantly localized within the cavernosal sinusoidal endothelium, while NG2⁺ pericytes were primarily observed in the subtunical region. Castrated rats exhibited reduced immunoreactivity of CD34⁺ ECs, SMA⁺ SMCs, and NG2⁺ pericytes compared to those of the control group. TRT restored these markers to levels approaching those of the control group. Protein expression levels of CD34 and NG2 exhibited similar patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Pericytes are predominantly located in the subendothelial region of the CC, and testosterone levels significantly influence their expression. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of different durations of TRT on cellular expression.

Source: The World Journal of Men s Health

DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.250224

Authors: Soo Kyung Cho, Hyun-Suk Lee, Kwangsung Park, Ho Seok Chung

Institutions: Kwangju Christian Hospital, Chonnam National University

Language: English

Topic: Hormonal and reproductive studies

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: National Research Foundation of Korea