The Effect of Erection on the Dartos Muscle: An Electrophysiological Study

Vol. 1, No. 3, 2007

Free Abstract Article (PDF 677 KB)

Original Paper

The Effect of Erection on the Dartos Muscle: An Electrophysiological Study
Ahmed Shafik^a, Ali A. Shafik^a, Olfat El-Sibai^b, Ismail A. Shafik^a

^aDepartment of Surgery and Experimental Research, and
^bSurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

Address of Corresponding Author

Curr Urol 2007;1:151-154 (DOI: 10.1159/000115378)

Key Words

Slow waves
Action potentials
Reflex
Sexual intercourse
Thermoregulation

Abstract

Objective: The role of the dartos muscle (DM) during erection is not known. We investigated the hypothesis that the DM contracts during erection. Patients and Methods: Electromyographic response of the DM to erection was studied in 23 healthy volunteers (mean age 37.2 ± 10.7 years). Erection was induced by intracavernosal injection of alprostadil. The DM response was tested before and after glans penis anesthetization. Results: The DM showed resting slow waves and action potentials. Slow wave frequency, amplitude and conduction velocity exhibited a significant increase on erection. Anesthetization of the erect glans penis was not associated with increase of slow wave variables. Conclusion: The DM appears to contract during coitus; this action is postulated to be reflex and mediated through the ‘glans-dartos excitatory reflex’. DM contraction seems to elevate and impart warmth to the testicles with a resulting increase of testicular blood flow. It may also effect testicular compression, expressing its secretions into the vas deferens.

Author Contacts

Ahmed Shafik, MD, PhD, Talaat Harb Street, EG–11121, Cairo (Egypt), Tel./Fax +20 2 3749 8851, E-Mail shafik@ahmedshafik.com

Article Information

Received: July 19, 2007
Accepted: August 24, 2007
Published online: March 18, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 0

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