Scientists give rat instant erections with flip of a switch

The plan is to extend the service to humans in the future

Update: 2015-03-26 18:31 GMT
Representational Image
 
 
The cure to erectile dysfunction is closer than we could have imagined. A latest breakthrough sheds light on a new method of treatment for human erectile dysfuntion, which affects moer than half of men over 60. 
 
A lot of men resort to medication to tackle the problem but researchers from ETH Zürich believe that in the future they may simply need to switch on a blue light in order to stand to attention. According to
Mirror.co.uk
, the group of researchers led by Professor Martin Fussenegger - injected the erectile tissue of rats penises with a gene construct that reacts to blue light.
 
After treatment, a blue light shone on the underside of the animal would cause its penis to become erect. The method works by triggering a reaction that reduces calcium levels in the cells, which then relaxes muscle cells and increases blood flow to the erectile tissue.
 
However the stiffness is worn off due to a naturally produced enzyme in some time. Incase of Vigra consumption the enzyme production is stopped so that the erection lasts longers. The team found out that the blue light acted like a switch to turn on erection in the rats and in some case it also led to ejacualtion. Fussenger also believes that the same mechanism can be applied on to human beings. 

Similar News