Analysis of regional norepinephrine content in the rabbit bladder after acute electrical pelvic floor stimulation

Experiments were carried out to evaluate the regional norepinephrine (NE) content of the rabbit bladder after acute electrical pelvic floor stimulation (EPFS). After 30 minutes of EPFS, the content of NE increased significantly in both the bladder base and body (p < 0.05). Furthermore, this increased NE content continued for 1 to 2 hours after cessation of stimulation. The content of NE in the bladder base and body in rabbits treated with alpha-methyl-paratyrosine (AMT) was lower than in the control group. Application of EPFS increased NE content in the bladder even in animals pretreated with AMT. Based on these findings, during EPFS the hypogastric nerve would be presumed to play a significant role in bladder inhibition. Increased synthesis of NE probably did not play an important role in elevation of NE content after EPFS.