A Novel Cystometric Model of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction After Rabbit Pelvic Floor Noxious Electrical Stimulation
Amy D Dobberfuhl1, Sara Spettel, Catherine Schuler
1From the *Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA; and †Division of Urology, Albany Medical College; ‡Stratton VA Medical Center; and §Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY.
Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery
|February 2, 2016
Summary
Researchers created a new animal model for pelvic floor dysfunction by stimulating the pubococcygeus muscle. This model helps understand lower urinary tract symptoms and their underlying mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Neuroscience
- Animal Models
Background:
- Pelvic floor dysfunction is linked to lower urinary tract symptoms.
- The precise mechanisms and pathways require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel animal model for pelvic floor dysfunction.
- To characterize the effects of noxious stimulation on the pubococcygeus muscle and subsequent voiding patterns.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen female rabbits underwent cystometry and electromyography of the pubococcygeus muscle.
- Noxious electrical stimulation was applied to the pubococcygeus muscle in 11 rabbits; 4 controls received sham stimulation.
- Two rabbits underwent S3 dorsal rhizotomy to confirm the role of afferent innervation.
Main Results:
- Voiding dysfunction was observed in 9 of 11 stimulated rabbits.
- Most rabbits (7/9) showed prolonged-dysfunctional voiding with increased bladder capacity and post-void residual.
- A subset (2/9) exhibited overactive-dysfunctional voiding with altered bladder capacity and residual volumes.
Conclusions:
- Noxious electrical stimulation of pelvic musculature effectively models pelvic floor dysfunction in rabbits.
- The model is characterized by altered bladder capacity, intercontractile intervals, and contraction durations.
- This animal model provides a platform for studying the pathophysiology of pelvic floor dysfunction and related urinary symptoms.
