Cortical averaged evoked potentials produced by pudendal nerve stimulation in dogs

Averaged evoked potentials were recorded from the scalp of 22 dogs after repetitive stimulation of the pudendal nerve. Four experimental procedures were used: (1) percutaneous needle-stimulating electrodes with dogs tranquilized with xylazine; (2) percutaneous needle-stimulating electrodes with dogs tranquilized with acepromazine; (3) percutaneous needle-stimulating electrodes with dogs anesthetized with alpha-chloralose; and (4) Sherrington type stimulating electrodes applied directly to nerves with dogs anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. The average evoked potentials were similar with all treatments. Three peaks (N1, P1, and N2) with consistent latency and amplitude were generally present, followed by additional peaks with variable latencies and amplitudes. The mean latency for N1 after direct stimulation was significantly longer than the mean latency for N1 in the 3 other groups (95% confidence intervals). There were no other significant differences in mean latencies among groups for any of the peaks.