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Physiology and biochemistry of erections

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Abstract

The physiology of erection has received intense clinical and basic research scrutiny over the past two decades. This massive effort has led to a much clearer understanding of the macroscopic aspects of erection as well as identification of the prominent features of the etiology of erectile dysfunction (ED). However, it is clear that the devil is in the details of the erectile process. Therefore, to truly understand the precise mechanistic basis for erection and ED, much more still must be learned about how the biochemical cascades in the corporal smooth muscle cells are integrated to produce a normal erection, or how they are altered to result in ED. The ultimate goal of these basic research and clinical efforts will be to provide a rational scientific basis for mechanism-based, patient-specific therapies for ED. This article reviews fundamental aspects of the physiology of erection and summarizes the most recent information available concerning the putative biochemical correlates of these physiologic events.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Urology and Physiology & Biophysics, Institute for Smooth Muscle Biology, Room 744, Forchheimer Building, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, 10461, Bronx, NY

    George J. Christ

  2. Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

    Tom Lue

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  1. George J. Christ
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  2. Tom Lue
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Correspondence to George J. Christ.

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Christ, G.J., Lue, T. Physiology and biochemistry of erections. Endocr 23, 93–100 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1385/ENDO:23:2-3:093

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ENDO:23:2-3:093

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