Reduction in norepinephrine content of the rabbit urinary bladder by alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist after electrical pelvic floor stimulation.

Abstract

The present study was designed to obtain evidence of reflex activation of the hypogastric nerves during electrical pelvic floor stimulation. Rabbits were treated with yohimbine (900 micrograms./kg./min.) with and without electrical stimulation under general anesthesia. Norepinephrine (NE) content of the rabbit bladder body and base were estimated by high performance liquid chromatography. Administration of yohimbine alone reduced the NE content of the bladder base (p < 0.05). The combination of yohimbine and electrical pelvic floor stimulation decreased NE content in the bladder base to a greater extent (p < 0.001); NE content in the bladder body decreased slightly (p < 0.001). Here we present evidence that the hypogastric nerves are reflexively activated by stimulation of the pelvic floor structures.