Voiding pattern analysis as a surrogate for cystometric evaluation in uroplakin II knockout mice.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Physiology
• Animal Models

Background:

• Absence of uroplakin II is linked to urinary tract dysfunction, including vesicoureteral reflux and renal abnormalities.
• Micturition patterns can be altered in cases of uroplakin II deficiency, indicating bladder dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, noninvasive surrogate measure for evaluating mouse bladder function.
• To utilize ultraviolet visualization of urinary voiding patterns in a uroplakin II knockout mouse model.

Main Methods:

• Cystometric analysis and voiding pattern markings were performed on wild-type (WT) and uroplakin II knockout mice.
• Voiding pattern markings were graded based on urine dispersion.
• Statistical analysis correlated voiding dispersion grades with cystometric parameters.

Main Results:

• The degree of urine dispersion in voiding patterns showed a significant correlation with key bladder function measures.
• Pearson correlation coefficients indicated a strong link between observed voiding patterns and baseline pressure, threshold pressure, and intermicturition pressure during conscious cystometry (p <0.05).

Conclusions:

• Ultraviolet visualization of mouse urinary voiding patterns is a reliable indicator of bladder function.
• This noninvasive method offers a simple approach to evaluate bladder function in mice.
• The technique's potential for automation could accelerate therapeutic development for bladder diseases.