Participation of estradiol and progesterone in the retrograde labeling of pubococcygeus motoneurons of the female rat

Menopause is associated with impaired responsiveness of involuntary pelvic floor muscle contractions to sudden intra‐abdominal pressure rise in women with pelvic floor symptoms: A retrospective study

“…Weaker PFM contractions may also be associated with reductions in the vascularization and volume of the levator ani muscle as well as increased noncontractile tissue (intramuscular fat) after menopause. In animal studies, hypoestrogenism is shown to relate to aging of the levator ani muscle and affects the morphometric properties of the motor neurons of the levator ani muscles …”

Aromatase expression is linked to estrogenic sensitivity of periurethral muscles in female rabbits

“…It may be possible that a reduced aromatase expression in both OVX and OVX + EB groups could lead to an elevated concentration of androgens in the Bsm maintaining the Bsm morphometry similar to control rabbits as required for androgen‐dependent muscles of mice . Apart from the muscle morphometry, the impact that steroids synthesized in the Pcm and Bsm have on motoneurons innervating them should be further analysed …”

“…[4][5][6][7][8] Estrogen replacement therapy is commonly prescribed for the treatment of pelvic dysfunctions; however, its efficacy is controversial. 9 The effect of the estrogen administration on periurethral skeletal muscles has been previously approached, 6,8,10,11 although some issues regarding their estrogenic sensitivity remain to be addressed. Estrogens influence mass, contractile properties, damage/repair processes and the expression of ER in hindlimb skeletal muscles.…”

The Role of Pelvic and Perineal Muscles in Reproductive and Excretory Functions

“…From histochemical, anatomical, and electrophysiological studies, the neural elements of the genitopubococcigeus reflex described above are sensory receptors located in the perineal skin and vaginal wall, the pudendal nerve, and the viscerocutaneous branch of the pelvic nerve and are afferent pathways. The somatomotor branch of the pelvic nerve is an efferent pathway, the L6-S1 spinal cord segment is a final common pathway, and the integrator center and pubococcygeus muscle fibers are effectors (Cuevas et al, 2006;Martínez-Gómez et al, 1992;Pacheco et al, 1989). The role of the Pcm and the Icm in the control of female reproductive or urinary functions remains unclear.…”