Pressure, volume, and chemosensitivity in afferent innervation of urinary bladder in rats

1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (2) ◽  
pp. R695-R703 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. G. Moss ◽  
W. W. Harrington ◽  
M. S. Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Filling Rate ◽  
Similar Extent ◽  
Pelvic Nerve ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Hypogastric Nerve ◽  
Bladder Filling ◽  
Afferent Nerves ◽  
Pressure Threshold ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
Afferent Innervation

Bladder afferent nerve activity was recorded from the pelvic and hypogastric nerves of rats anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium. Bladder filling with isotonic NaCl at a rate of 250 microl/min excited multiunit afferent activity in the hypogastric nerve by 190 +/- 38% over background at a pressure of 30 mmHg, whereas 150 meq/l KCl at the same filling rate excited hypogastric nerve activity by 498 +/- 103% (P < 0.0001). This difference was localized to a group of chemosensitive fibers that are excited by bladder filling with KCl in a concentration-dependent fashion but are insensitive to bladder filling with NaCl. Bladder filling with 200 meq/l KCl at different filling rates caused a bursting pattern of discharge in these fibers at consistent bladder volumes but with a pressure threshold that increased proportionately with filling rate. Other hypogastric bladder afferent fibers were activated to a similar extent by NaCl and KCl solutions. Chemoreceptive bladder afferent fibers were rare in the pelvic nerve (1 of 15 units), and multiunit preparations showed comparable excitations during bladder filling with NaCl and KCl solutions. The bursting activation of bladder chemoreceptive afferent nerves in hypogastric nerves could signal noxious overdistension and/or inflammation of the bladder.

Functional differences between afferent fibers in the hypogastric and pelvic nerves innervating female reproductive organs in the rat

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 533-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Berkley ◽  
A. Robbins ◽  
Y. Sato
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Pelvic Nerve ◽  
Hypogastric Nerve ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
Pelvic Nerves ◽  
Different Parts ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. The uterus, cervix, and vaginal canal are innervated by afferent fibers in the hypogastric and pelvic nerves. Four studies compared the innervation territory and sensitivity to peripheral stimuli of the two sets of fibers in adult virgin rats. 2. Innervation territory was studied anatomically by injecting different fluorescent dyes into different parts of the reproductive, lower urinary, and lower digestive tracts and examining retrogradely labeled neurons in dorsal root ganglia. It was also studied electrophysiologically in anesthetized rats by summing potentials evoked in branches of the two nerves by electrical stimulation of different parts of the reproductive tract. 3. In both studies sensory innervation of the reproductive tract shifted from the pelvic to the hypogastric nerve (i.e., shifted entry into the spinal cord from the L6-S1 to the T13-L3 dorsal root ganglia, respectively) as the dye or stimulating electrode shifted from the vaginal entrance to the uterine horns, with fibers from both nerves densely innervating the cervix region (i.e., entering the spinal cord through both sets of ganglia). The anatomic results suggested that the regions innervated by fibers in one nerve might also be innervated by a small component of normally quiescent fibers in the other nerve. 4. Response sensitivity was studied electrophysiologically by simultaneously recording multiunit activity in branches of the hypogastric and pelvic nerves in two ways. First, in intact, anesthetized rats, activity was recorded during mechanical stimulation of the reproductive tract (distension of the vagina and uterus, probing the cervix). Second, in an in vitro organ preparation of the uterus and vagina, activity was recorded during chemical stimulation through the uterine artery with bradykinin, serotonin, NaCN, CO2, and KCl. 5. Pelvic nerve fibers were markedly more sensitive than hypogastric nerve fibers to uterine and cervical mechanostimulation. Similarly, pelvic nerve fibers were more likely to respond or responded more vigorously than hypogastric nerve fibers to all chemical stimuli (except KCl). 6. These results provide strong evidence that afferent fibers in the pelvic and hypogastric nerves of nulliparous adult rats subserve different functions in reproduction and sensation. Pelvic nerve fibers seem closely tied to sensory and behavioral processes associated with mating and conception, whereas hypogastric fibers seem closely tied to pregnancy and nociception, with fibers in both nerves serving functions during parturition.

Sensory Fibers of the Pelvic Nerve Innervating the Rat's Urinary Bladder

2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 1924-1933 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. K. Shea ◽  
R. Cai ◽  
B. Crepps ◽  
J. L. Mason ◽  
E. R. Perl
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Bladder ◽  
Conduction Velocity ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sensory Innervation ◽  
Pelvic Nerve ◽  
Ureterovesical Junction ◽  
Bladder Filling ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
Conduction Velocities

Much attention has been given to the pelvic nerve afferent innervation of the urinary bladder; however, reports differ considerably in descriptions of afferent receptor types, their conduction velocities, and their potential roles in bladder reflexes and sensation. The present study was undertaken to do a relatively unbiased sampling of bladder afferent fibers of the pelvic nerve in adult female rats. The search stimulus for units to be studied was electrical stimulation of both the bladder nerves and the pelvic nerve. Single-unit activity of 100 L6 dorsal root fibers, activated by both pelvic and bladder nerve stimulation, was analyzed. Sixty-five units had C-fiber and 35 units had Aδ-fiber conduction velocities. Receptive characteristics were established by direct mechanical stimulation, filling of the bladder with 0.9% NaCl at a physiological speed and by filling the bladder with solutions containing capsaicin, potassium, or turpentine oil. The majority (61) of these fibers were unambiguously excited by bladder filling with 0.9% NaCl and were classified as mechanoreceptors. All mechanoreceptors with receptive fields on the body of the bladder had low pressure thresholds (≤10 mmHg). Receptive fields of units with higher thresholds were near the ureterovesical junction, on the base of the bladder or could not be found. Neither thresholds nor suprathreshold responses could be related to conduction velocity. Bladder compliance and mechanoreceptor thresholds were influenced by the stage of the estrous cycle: both were lowest in proestrous rats and highest in metaestrous rats. Mechanoreceptors innervating the body of the bladder and the region near the ureterovesical junction showed two patterns of responsiveness to slow bladder filling. One group of units exhibited increasing activity with increasing pressure up to 40 mmHg, while the other group showed a peak in activity at pressures below 40 mmHg followed by a plateau or decrease in activity with increasing pressure. It is proposed that differences in stimulus transduction relate to the different response patterns. Thirty-nine units failed to respond to bladder filling. Eight of these were excited by intravesical potassium or capsaicin and were classified as chemoreceptors. The remaining 31 units were not excited by any stimulus tested. Chemoreceptors and unexcited units had both Aδ and C afferent fibers. We conclude that the pelvic nerve sensory innervation of the rat bladder is complex, may be sensitive to hormonal status, and that the properties of individual sensory receptors are not related in an obvious manner to the conduction velocity of their fibers.

scholarly journals Cystitis increases colorectal afferent sensitivity in the mouse

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (6) ◽  
pp. G1250-G1258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Rodolfo Brumovsky ◽  
Bin Feng ◽  
Linjing Xu ◽  
Carly Jane McCarthy ◽  
G. F. Gebhart
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Bladder ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Mechanical Sensitivity ◽  
Pelvic Nerve ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Colon Inflammation ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
Peripheral Mechanism ◽  
Inflammatory Soup

Studies in humans and rodents suggest that colon inflammation promotes urinary bladder hypersensitivity and, conversely, that cystitis contributes to colon hypersensitivity, events referred to as cross-organ sensitization. To investigate a potential peripheral mechanism, we examined whether cystitis alters the sensitivity of pelvic nerve colorectal afferents. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with cyclophosphamide (CYP) or saline, and the mechanosensitive properties of single afferent fibers innervating the colorectum were studied with an in vitro preparation. In addition, mechanosensitive receptive endings were exposed to an inflammatory soup (IS) to study sensitization. Urinary bladder mechanosensitive afferents were also tested. We found that baseline responses of stretch-sensitive colorectal afferents did not differ between treatment groups. Whereas IS excited a proportion of colorectal afferents CYP treatment did not alter the magnitude of this response. However, the number of stretch-sensitive fibers excited by IS was increased relative to saline-treated mice. Responses to IS were not altered by CYP treatment, but the proportion of IS-responsive fibers was increased relative to saline-treated mice. In bladder, IS application increased responses of muscular afferents to stretch, although no differences were detected between saline- and CYP-treated mice. In contrast, their chemosensitivity to IS was decreased in the CYP-treated group. Histological examination revealed no changes in colorectum and modest edema and infiltration in the urinary bladder of CYP-treated mice. In conclusion, CYP treatment increased mechanical sensitivity of colorectal muscular afferents and increased the proportion of chemosensitive colorectal afferents. These data support a peripheral contribution to cross-organ sensitization of pelvic organs.

Reflex regulation of renal nerve activity in cardiac failure

1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (1) ◽  
pp. R27-R39 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. F. DiBona ◽  
L. L. Sawin
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Index ◽  
Single Unit ◽  
Diastolic Pressure ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Central Portion ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Baroreflex Control ◽  
Afferent Limb ◽  
Pressure Threshold ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Baroreflex

Efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity (ERSNA) is increased in the rat with low-cardiac-output congestive heart failure (CHF; myocardial infarction). Arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of ERSNA in CHF and control rats was examined. Cardiac index and arterial pressure were lower and total peripheral resistance index, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and heart-to-body weight ratio were higher in CHF than in control rats. Increases in left ventricular end diastolic pressure produced by intravenous volume loading failed to increase cardiac index in CHF rats as it did in control rats. Single-unit analysis of aortic baroreceptor nerve activity showed that CHF rats had higher pressure threshold, lower frequency at pressure threshold, and lower gain than control rats. Arterial baroreflex control of ERSNA was attenuated; this was due to diminished gain of the afferent limb while the gain of the central portion of the reflex was normal. Single-unit analysis of vagal nerve activity showed that CHF rats had higher pressure threshold, lower frequency at saturation, and lower gain than control rats. Cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of ERSNA was attenuated; this was due to diminished gain of the afferent limb while the gain of the central portion of the reflex was normal. In the CHF rat, arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of ERSNA is markedly attenuated because of abnormalities in the periphery at the level of the aortic and cardiopulmonary receptors, respectively, and not in the central nervous system.

Reorganization of the innervation of the vas deferens after sympathetic decentralization

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (6) ◽  
pp. R1481-R1488
Author(s):  
K. Kihara ◽  
H. Kakizaki ◽  
W. C. de Groat
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Rat Vas Deferens ◽  
Pelvic Nerve ◽  
Hypogastric Nerve ◽  
Normal Side ◽  
Efferent Pathways ◽  
Stimulation Of

Reorganization of autonomic efferent pathways to the rat vas deferens was noted after chronic (30 days) sympathetic decentralization produced by hypogastric nerve (HGN) transection. In normal rats, electrical stimulation of the HGN elicited an increase in vasal pressure (VP) bilaterally, whereas pelvic nerve (PN) stimulation did not alter VP. However, after unilateral HGN transection, stimulation of the PN on the transected side but not on the normal side increased VP. The decentralized vas exhibited larger VP responses to stimulation of the contralateral HGN in comparison with the normal vas. After bilateral HGN transection, PN-induced VP responses were elicited at lower stimulus intensities than in rats with unilateral transections. PN-induced VP responses were blocked by hexamethonium and prazosin but were not altered by atropine. Distension of the vas lumen occurred after decentralization. PN-induced VP responses were not detectable in extremely distended vas. These data indicate that, after degeneration of sympathetic preganglionic axons, decentralized adrenergic ganglion cells are reinnervated by parasympathetic or sympathetic preganglionic pathways and that the reinnervation influences vasal function.

scholarly journals Sympathetic afferents in the hypogastric nerve facilitate nociceptive bladder activity in cats

2019 ◽  
Vol 316 (4) ◽  
pp. F703-F711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Shun Li ◽  
Todd Yecies ◽  
Tara Morgan ◽  
Haotian Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Capacity ◽  
Saline Control ◽  
Pelvic Nerve ◽  
Analgesic Agent ◽  
Hypogastric Nerve ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Pelvic Nerves ◽  
C Fiber ◽  
Bladder Activity

This study in α-chloralose-anesthetized cats revealed a role of hypogastric nerve afferent axons in nociceptive bladder activity induced by bladder irritation using 0.25% acetic acid (AA). In cats with intact hypogastric and pelvic nerves, AA irritation significantly ( P < 0.05) reduced bladder capacity to 45.0 ± 5.7% of the control capacity measured during a saline cystometrogram (CMG). In cats with the hypogastric nerves transected bilaterally, AA irritation also significantly ( P < 0.05) reduced bladder capacity, but the change was significantly smaller (capacity reduced to 71.5 ± 10.6% of saline control, P < 0.05) than that in cats with an intact hypogastric nerve. However, application of hypogastric nerve stimulation (HGNS: 20 Hz, 0.2 ms pulse width) to the central end of the transected nerves at an intensity (16 V) strong enough to activate C-fiber afferent axons facilitated the effect of AA irritation and further ( P < 0.05) reduced bladder capacity to 48.4 ± 7.4% of the saline control. This facilitation by HGNS was effective only at selected frequencies (1, 20, and 30 Hz) when the stimulation intensity was above the threshold for activating C-fibers. Tramadol (an analgesic agent) at 3 mg/kg iv completely blocked the nociceptive bladder activity and eliminated the facilitation by HGNS. HGNS did not alter non-nociceptive bladder activity induced by saline distention of the bladder. These results indicate that sympathetic afferents in the hypogastric nerve play an important role in the facilitation of the nociceptive bladder activity induced by bladder irritation that activates the silent C-fibers in the pelvic nerve.

Upper thoracic sympathetic neuron responses to input from urinary bladder afferents

1983 ◽  
Vol 245 (3) ◽  
pp. R311-R320 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Schondorf ◽  
W. Laskey ◽  
C. Polosa
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Urinary Bladder ◽  
Sympathetic Neuron ◽  
Neural Circuitry ◽  
Pelvic Nerve ◽  
Hypogastric Nerve ◽  
Bladder Afferents ◽  
Cervical Sympathetic ◽  
Upper Thoracic ◽  
Stimulation Of

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the organization of neural circuitry responsible for the intersegmental transmission of input from urinary bladder afferents to sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPNs). The electrical activity of SPNs was recorded from axons of the cervical sympathetic trunk in anesthetized central nervous system (CNS)-intact and in unanesthetized midcollicular-decerebrate or acute C1 spinal cats. In all three preparations, tonically active SPNs were excited or inhibited by 1) electrical stimulation of myelinated afferents of the pelvic or hypogastric nerve, both of which contain bladder afferents, and 2) spontaneous contraction or distension of the urinary bladder. The SPN responses to bladder distension were abolished by pelvic nerve section. A comparison of responses of SPNs in CNS-intact and acute spinal animals to electrical stimulation of pelvic nerve afferents suggests that both propriospinal and supraspinal circuits are involved in the intersegmental transmission of input from bladder afferents to SPNs.

Mechanosensitive Pelvic Nerve Afferent Fibers Innervating the Colon of the Rat are Polymodal in Character

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 2632-2644 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Su ◽  
G. F. Gebhart
Keyword(s):  
Bile Salts ◽  
Thermal Sensitivity ◽  
Muscle Tension ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Krebs Solution ◽  
Pelvic Nerve ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
Inflammatory Soup ◽  
Resting Activity ◽  
Thermal Stimuli

Su, X. and G. F. Gebhart. Mechanosensitive pelvic nerve afferent fibers innervating the colon of the rat are polymodal in character. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 00–00, 1998. This report describes the chemical and thermal sensitivity of mechanosensitive pelvic nerve afferent fibers innervating the colon of the rat. A total of 51 fibers in the S1 dorsal root, identified by electrical stimulation of the pelvic nerve, were studied. An approximately 7 cm length of descending colon was isolated in situ to permit intracolonic perfusion and distension with Krebs solution. Reproducibility of responses to repetitive colorectal distension (CRD, 40 mmHg, 30 s, every 4 min) was documented. All fibers gave monotonic, incrementing responses to graded CRD (5 to 60 mmHg). Increases ( n = 6) or decreases ( n = 6) in pH of the perfusate failed to produce any change in resting activity or responses to CRD. Infusion of bile salts increased the resting activity of 6/6 fibers in a concentration-dependent manner, but did not affect the magnitude of responses to CRD. After intracolonic instillation of an inflammatory soup (bradykinin 10−5M, PGE210−5M, serotonin 10−5M, histamine 10−5M and KCl 10−3M), 13/22 fibers exhibited sensitization of responses to CRD. Seventy-three percent of 45 fibers tested responded to intracolonic perfusion of heated Krebs solution. The estimated threshold for response was 45°C and response magnitude increased with the temperature. A smaller proportion (30%) of 37 fibers tested responded to intracolonic perfusion of cold Krebs solution. The estimated threshold for response was 28°C. Of 36 fibers tested, 8 were activated by both heat and cold; typically, fibers activated by heat did not respond to cold. In a sample of 26 fibers tested for response to all three modalities of stimulation, 11 responded to mechanical, chemical and thermal stimuli; the remaining 15 responded to mechanical and either chemical or thermal stimulation. Changes in intracolonic pressure in response to chemical and thermal stimuli were also evaluated. Inflammatory soup and bile salts did not change intracolonic pressure; heat and cold produced a modest decrease and increase in muscle tension, respectively. These results document that mechanosensitive pelvic nerve afferent fibers are also chemosensitive and/or thermosensitive, supporting the notion that visceral mechanoreceptors in general are likely polymodal in character.

Excitation of cardiac sympathetic afferent nerves: effects on renal function

1981 ◽  
Vol 241 (5) ◽  
pp. R267-R270
Author(s):  
R. L. Meckler ◽  
L. J. Macklem ◽  
L. C. Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Renal Function ◽  
Chemical Stimulation ◽  
Afferent Neurons ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Renal Nerve ◽  
Efferent Nerve ◽  
Afferent Nerves ◽  
Renal Nerve Activity ◽  
Anesthetized Dogs ◽  
Stimulation Of

Cardiac sympathetic afferent nerves can reflexly alter renal efferent nerve activity during myocardial ischemia and in response to mechanical or chemical stimulation of cardiac receptors. They also may influence renal excretion of water and electrolytes; however, this potential influence on renal function has not been determined. Therefore, receptors of cardiac sympathetic afferent nerves were chemically stimulated by epicardial application of bradykinin to determine effects on renal function. Experiments were performed in anesthetized dogs in which cervical vagosympathetic trunks were severed and common carotid arteries were tied to diminish influences of arterial baroreceptors and vagal afferent nerves. Chemical stimulation of cardiac afferent neurons excited renal nerve activity and produced decreases in urine flow rate, glomerular filtration rate, and excretion of sodium and potassium. In contrast, no consistent changes in renal function were observed in control dogs, which did not undergo cardiac afferent stimulation. These data provide evidence that activation of cardiac sympathetic afferent neurons can lead to alterations in excretion of water and electrolytes as well as changes in renal nerve activity.

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