Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Comment
  • Published:

Response to comment on: A novel rat model for investigating erectile function after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy

International Journal of Impotence Research (2026)Cite this article

Subjects

We appreciate the thoughtful commentary provided by Drs Leonidas Karapanos and Ahmet Tevfik Albayrak regarding our recent publication, “A novel rat model for investigating erectile function (EF) after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy” [1, 2]. As highlighted in their commentary and supported by existing literature, erectile dysfunction (ED) after radical prostatectomy (RP) represents a significant clinical challenge that profoundly impacts patient quality of life [3]. In our study, we meticulously developed and characterized a rat model of nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (NSRP), with particular emphasis on establishing standardized surgical protocols that closely parallel the anatomical and procedural considerations of human NSRP. This novel rat model was designed to facilitate mechanistic and therapy effect investigations of EF post-NSRP as the preclinical animal model.

A comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying post-RP ED is essential for optimizing surgical decision-making regarding neurovascular bundle (NVB) and related tissues preservation during RP and guiding post-RP interventions. Current evidence strongly implicates iatrogenic NVB injury as the predominant etiological factor contributing to post-RP ED. Consequently, advancements in prostatic surgical anatomy have driven the evolution of various NSRP techniques, all aimed at reducing the incidence of postoperative ED and urinary incontinence [4]. Nevertheless, these refinements, reported rates of post-NSRP ED remain substantial, ranging from 10 to 46% at 1 year and from 6 to 37% at 2 years postoperatively [5]; this is likely related to the patient’s selection and the extent of NVB preservation achieved depending on the surgical skills and methods. Animal models play a vital role in both fundamental mechanistic investigations and preclinical therapeutic research. Quinlan et al. introduced the first Sprague-Dawley rats as the model for investigating EF, supplanting other larger animals [6]. The rat model has since been further developed and optimized. Currently, bilateral cavernous nerve injury (CNI) in rats is widely recognized as the standard experimental model for studying post-RP ED [7]. Many preclinical therapeutic approaches have been developed based on bilateral CNI of rats previously [8]; however, clinical translation of these finding remains limited, and an optimal treatment protocol to facilitate the recovery of EF post-RP has yet to be established [9]. Given these considerations, further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying post-RP ED, which may inform the development of more effective therapeutic approaches.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on SpringerLink
  • Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Karapanos L, Albayrak AT. Comment on: A novel rat model for investigating erectile function after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. Int J Impot Res. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-025-01163-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Guo Y, Tao R, Wang Z, Jiang D, Ren Z, Fan H, et al. A novel rat model for investigating erectile function after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. Int J Impot Res. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-025-01142-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Salomon L, Saint F, Anastasiadis AG, Sebe P, Chopin D, Abbou CC. Combined reporting of cancer control and functional results of radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2003;44:656–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2003.09.009.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Mandel A, Parekh S, Choudhary M, Morizane S, Kacagan C, Tillu N, et al. Analysis of the Current Surgical Anatomical Knowledge of Radical Prostatectomy: An Updated Review. Eur Urol. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2025.06.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ficarra V, Novara G, Ahlering TE, Costello A, Eastham JA, Graefen M, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting potency rates after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2012;62:418–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2012.05.046.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Quinlan DM, Nelson RJ, Partin AW, Mostwin JL, Walsh PC. The rat as a model for the study of penile erection. J Urol. 1989;141:656–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-5347(17)40926-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Chung E, De Young L, Brock GB. Investigative models in erectile dysfunction: a state-of-the-art review of current animal models. J Sex Med. 2011;8:3291–305. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02505.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Haney NM, Nguyen HMT, Honda M, Abdel-Mageed AB, Hellstrom WJG. Bilateral Cavernous Nerve Crush Injury in the Rat Model: A Comparative Review of Pharmacologic Interventions. Sex Med Rev. 2018;6:234–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.07.007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Weyne E, Castiglione F, Van der Aa F, Bivalacqua TJ, Albersen M. Landmarks in erectile function recovery after radical prostatectomy. Nat Rev Urol. 2015;12:289–97. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2015.72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Sato Y, Rehman J, Santizo C, Melman A, Christ GJ. Significant physiological roles of ancillary penile nerves on increase in intracavernous pressure in rats: experiments using electrical stimulation of the medial preoptic area. Int J Impot Res. 2001;13:82–88. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900650.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Walsh PC, Donker PJ. Impotence following radical prostatectomy: insight into etiology and prevention. J Urol. 1982;128:492–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-5347(17)53012-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Mulhall JP, Müller A, Donohue JF, Mullerad M, Kobylarz K, Paduch DA, et al. The functional and structural consequences of cavernous nerve injury are ameliorated by sildenafil citrate. J Sex Med. 2008;5:1126–36. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00794.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, China

    Yashou Guo, Ronggui Tao, Zhongyu Wang & Dalin He

  2. Department of Urology, Xianyang Central Hospital, Xianyang, 712000, China

    Yashou Guo

Authors
  1. Yashou Guo
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ronggui Tao
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhongyu Wang
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Dalin He
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Yashou Guo: conceptualization, writing original draft. Ronggui Tao: writing, review & editing. Zhongyu Wang: writing, review & editing. Dalin He: conceptualization, writing, review & editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dalin He.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Guo, Y., Tao, R., Wang, Z. et al. Response to comment on: A novel rat model for investigating erectile function after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. Int J Impot Res (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-025-01222-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Version of record:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-025-01222-3

Search

Advanced search

Quick links