Brain-mediated responses to vaginocervical stimulation in spinal cord-transected rats: role of the vagus nerves

Komisaruk, Barry R.; Bianca, Ralph; Sansone, Giorgio R.; ́mez, Lisbeth E. Go; ́n, Rafael Cueva-Rolo; Beyer, Carlos; Whipple, Beverly

doi:10.1016/0006-8993(95)01312-1

Cited by 80 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…This belief was also based upon findings in the rat, that the vagus nerves provide a sensory pathway from the reproductive tract directly to the medulla oblongata of the brain, bypassing the spinal cord [25]. However, we observed the orgasmic experiences of 37 women [12] and found that the descriptions of orgasm of women with varying levels of complete and incomplete SCIs are indistinguishable from those of noninjured women.…”

Section: -9851 9 2001 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins 279supporting

confidence: 51%

Neurogenic female sexual dysfunction: A review

Sipski

Behnegar

2001

Clinical Autonomic Research

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The effect of various spinal lesions on female sexual response has recently been investigated in detail. Studies of women with neurologic disabilities and studies of animal models have provided substantial information regarding the spinal control of sexual responses. In this report, the authors explore findings regarding the neurologic pathways underlying the spinal control of sexual arousal and orgasm. Information available about the effects of multiple sclerosis and various cerebral disorders on female sexual function will also be reviewed, with special attention to areas where further research is needed. Lastly, the current status and techniques available to improve the sexual functioning of women with neurologic disabilities affecting the central nervous system will be reviewed.

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Section: -9851 9 2001 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins 279supporting

confidence: 51%

Neurogenic female sexual dysfunction: A review

Sipski

Behnegar

2001

Clinical Autonomic Research

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“…Retrograde axonal tracing with horseradish peroxidase from the uterus labeled a few neurons in the nodose ganglia and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMX) (Ortega-Villalobos et al 1990). Vaginocervical mechanical stimulation increased the pupil diameter; however, vagotomy abolished this reflex in spinal cord-transected female rats (Komisaruk et al 1996). Uterine distension activated neurons in the NTS, and vagotomy abolished such responses (Hubscher and Berkley 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Uterine distension activated neurons in the NTS, and vagotomy abolished such responses (Hubscher and Berkley 1995). Finally, spinal cord-injured women responded to genital and reproductive organ stimulation that likely would be conveyed via the vagus nerve (Komisaruk et al 1996.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Vagal afferents from the uterus and cervix provide direct connections to the brainstem

Collins

Lin

Berthoud

et al. 1999

Cell and Tissue Research

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Previous anatomical studies demonstrated vagal innervation to the ovary and distal colon and suggested the vagus nerve has uterine inputs. Recent behavioral and physiological evidence indicated that the vagus nerves conduct sensory information from the uterus to the brainstem. The present study was undertaken to identify vagal sensory connections to the uterus. Retrograde tracers, Fluorogold and pseudorabies virus were injected into the uterus and cervix. DiI, an anterograde tracer, was injected into the nodose ganglia. Neurectomies involving the pelvic, hypogastric, ovarian and abdominal vagus nerves were performed, and then uterine whole-mounts examined for sensory nerves containing calcitonin gene-related peptide. Nodose ganglia and caudal brainstem sections were examined for the presence of estrogen receptor-containing neurons in "vagal locales." Labeling of uterine-related neurons in the nodose ganglia (Fluorogold and pseudorabies virus) and in the brainstem nuclei (pseudorabies virus) was obtained. DiI-labeled nerve fibers occurred near uterine horn and uterine cervical blood vessels, in the myometrium, and in paracervical ganglia. Rats with vagal, pelvic, hypogastric and ovarian neurectomies exhibited a marked decrease in calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive nerves in the uterus relative to rats with pelvic, hypogastric, and ovarian neurectomies with intact vagus nerves. Neurons in the nodose ganglia and nucleus tractus solitarius were immunoreactive for estrogen receptors. These results demonstrated: (1) the vagus nerves serve as connections between the uterus and CNS, (2) the nodose ganglia contain uterine-related vagal afferent neuron cell bodies, and (3) neurons in vagal locales contain estrogen receptors.

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“…As in previous experiments, 14 in order to maintain the subjects in healthy condition after spinal cord transection, the rats were washed of the ventrum with running water, towel drying and the urine was expressed manually three times a day for the first 2 weeks after the surgery. In addition, oxytetracycline (17 mg/kg) and gentamicin sulfate (5 mg/kg) were given i.m.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…14,15 Briefly, under barbiturate anesthesia (pentobarbital, 35 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p. )), the T6 dorsal spinal process was removed to expose the spinal cord.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cholinergic facilitation of erection and ejaculation in spinal cord-transected rats

et al. 2004

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Penile reflexes (PRs) were monitored in chronic spinal cord-transected rats by identifying them visually, and at the same time they were recorded as the electromyographic activity of bulbospongiosus muscles. Intraperitoneal injection of the agonist muscarine (10 lg) produced a facilitation of PRs. A decrease in the latency, an increase in the number of clusters and often an increase in the duration of cups were found after muscarine. In addition, 66% (six out of nine) of the animals ejaculated after muscarine. These results suggest that cholinergic receptor stimulation may be involved in erectile and ejaculatory mechanisms mediated by the spinal cord.

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Brain-mediated responses to vaginocervical stimulation in spinal cord-transected rats: role of the vagus nerves

Cited by 80 publications

References 15 publications

Neurogenic female sexual dysfunction: A review

Neurogenic female sexual dysfunction: A review

Vagal afferents from the uterus and cervix provide direct connections to the brainstem

Cholinergic facilitation of erection and ejaculation in spinal cord-transected rats

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