Hydrogel implant restored sexual function in rabbits and pigs: they were capable of copulating and successfully reproduced.
For centuries we have been trying to restore lost body functions with prostheses. Already in ancient Egypt there were prostheses, and today, artificial organs already replace kidneys and the heart.
But only now scientists have successfully created the first 3D printed penile implantswhich have already restored sexual function in rabbits and pigs – and may possibly treat erectile (and not only) dysfunction in humans.
“Print” an implant of the reproductive organ complex, whose functioning depends on blood vessels, spongy tissue and nerve signs, is no easy task, especially in the perfect recreation of the cavernous body, the vascular tissue responsible for erections.
According to the study on the last day 4 in Nature Biomedical EngineeringResearchers have created a 3D printed model that incorporates the spongy body, the glans and a biomimetic cavernous body (BCC). It is made of Hydrogela soft fabric that allows blood to flow and expand as in a natural erection, advances. Endothelial cells were sown in implants to help integrate with body tissues.
The implants were then tested on animals – rabbits and pigs that had already suffered partial lesions of the penis in the past. After undergoing surgery to receive implants, animals They recovered the erectile function in a few weeks and were able to successfully copulate and reproduce.
Implants not only helped restore erectile function, but the ability to ejaculate, which suggests that cavernous tissue was cured in treated animals.
According to the study, 3D penis is not only hope to people with erectile dysfunction, but also for those who suffered from a penile and for those who deal with diseases such as Peyronie’s diseasewhich causes a painful curvature of the penis and leads to dysfunction.
Despite the promising results, technology is not yet ready for human use: implants have only been tested in cases of partial damage to tissues. The team also aims to improve the model, incorporating nerves, blood vessels and urethral structures to better reproduce all the complexity of the human penis.
