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Intraurethral stimulation evokes bladder responses via 2 distinct reflex pathways.

John P Woock1, Paul B Yoo, Warren M Grill

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0281, USA.

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Summary

Intraurethral electrical stimulation in cats selectively activated distinct pudendal nerve pathways, influencing bladder reflexes. This method effectively differentiates between excitatory and inhibitory bladder responses based on stimulation parameters.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Urology

Background:

  • Pudendal nerve branches can activate distinct reflex pathways, influencing bladder function.
  • Selective activation of these pathways is crucial for understanding bladder control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate intraurethral electrical stimulation as a minimally invasive method for selectively activating pudendal nerve pathways in cats.
  • To determine if this stimulation can evoke specific bladder responses via distinct reflex pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Intraurethral electrical stimulation was applied to anesthetized male cats.
  • Bladder responses were measured at varying stimulation frequencies, intensities, and locations within the urethra.
  • Nerve transections and spinal cord transection were performed to identify the neural pathways involved.

Main Results:

  • Intraurethral electrical stimulation evoked both inhibitory and excitatory bladder reflexes.
  • Responses varied significantly with stimulation frequency and urethral location.
  • Penile urethra stimulation at 33 Hz caused contraction, while 10 Hz caused relaxation, abolished by dorsal penile nerve transection.
  • Membranous urethra stimulation evoked contractions, abolished by cranial sensory nerve transection.
  • Spinal cord transection preserved penile urethra responses but abolished membranous urethra responses.

Conclusions:

  • Intraurethral electrical stimulation successfully and selectively activated two distinct pudendal afferent pathways.
  • Bladder responses are dependent on stimulation frequency and location, indicating pathway specificity.
  • This technique is a valid approach for studying bladder responses mediated by pudendal nerve stimulation.