The pudendo-pudendal reflex in male and female rats

The pudendo-pudendal reflex (bulbocavernosus reflex) was studied in male and female rats. Electrical stimulation of pudendal nerve afferents induced reflex volleys in ipsi- and contralateral pudendal nerves. The early components of the reflex were unaffected by acute spinal transection. The reflex was shown to be polysynaptic and bilaterally organized. No qualitative differences were noted between males and females, but a significantly longer central delay was observed in female rats, compared to males.