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Abstract:
Because MM male mice suffer from a high incidence of urinary tract infection, an assessment was made as to whether the urethral plugs, which occur in male rodents, might be involved in its aetiology. When killed, males more commonly retained urine in their bladders than females but there was no significant difference between strains or method of killing. Males also voided urine more often during stressful handling followed by abdominal pressure, but also retained some urine more often than females. The study of sexually immature mice demonstrated no sex differences and no urine was retained in any bladder. It was concluded that the high frequency of urine retention in mature males is attributable to the presence of urethral plugs but these could not be implicated in the cause of MM urinary tract infection because of comparable findings in the controls. However, the possibility was considered that the plugs might facilitate infection of the kidneys once a bladder infection had become established.
Insights
Urethral plugs in male mice are linked to urine retention but not directly to urinary tract infections. These plugs may, however, contribute to kidney infections after bladder infections develop.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Animal models
- Rodent physiology
Background:
- Male mice (MM) exhibit a high incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Urethral plugs are observed in male rodents, prompting investigation into their role in UTI aetiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the potential involvement of urethral plugs in the aetiology of urinary tract infections in male mice.
- To investigate sex-based differences in urine retention and voiding in mice.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of urine retention in male and female mice post-mortem.
- Observation of urine voiding behavior under stressful conditions.
- Examination of sexually immature mice to identify age-related differences.
Main Results:
- Mature male mice showed higher urine retention than females, irrespective of strain or killing method.
- Males voided urine more frequently under stress but also retained some urine more often than females.
- No significant sex differences in urine retention were observed in sexually immature mice.
Conclusions:
- Urethral plugs are associated with urine retention in mature male mice.
- Urethral plugs were not directly implicated as a cause of MM urinary tract infections.
- Urethral plugs may potentially facilitate kidney infections secondary to established bladder infections.