Researchers Engineer Parts of Rabbit Penises

In an impressive example of tissue and organ engineering, researchers have been able to grow segments of rabbit penises in the laboratory, which were used to replace the segments in male rabbits, who then used them successfully to mate. The research was reported in the September 24, 2002, issue of New Scientist.

The research team extracted 3-D scaffolds of colagen from rabbit erectile tissue and also took samples of specialized muscle and endothelial cells from rabbit penises. At first, the cells were grown separately and later added to the collagen matrix. Within a few days, the result resembled real erectile tissue. Leaving nerves and the urethra intact, the researchers removed the corpora cavernosa from the penises of 18 rabbits, replacing it with the engineered tissues. Since the tissues were grown from the rabbits' own cells, their immune systems did not reject them. After the rabbits had recovered from surgery, they attempted to have sex within 30 seconds of being in a cage with a female rabbit.

"They were able to copulate, penetrate, and produce sperm,” said Anthony Atala of Harvard Medical School (www.harvard.edu), whose team performed the research.

The next step, according to the team, is to try to recreate the entire penis from the beginning. The technique could be used to reconstruct the penises of men who have been injured or children born with genital abnormalities. "If you have a child born with ambiguous genitalia, it's a life-changing event,” added Dr. Atala.




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