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

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.