Selective control by posterior spinal nerve roots of micturition and erection in rats

Neural Regen Res, 2012 · DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2012.35.001 · Published: December 1, 2012

Spinal Cord Injury Urology Regenerative Medicine

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how specific nerve roots in the lower spinal cord (L6 and S1) control bladder and erectile functions in rats. By stimulating different nerve rootlets, the researchers observed distinct changes in bladder pressure, urethral perfusion pressure, and intracavernous pressure (related to erection). The findings suggest that different rootlets control different aspects of bladder and erectile function, offering potential for more precise surgical treatments after spinal cord injury.

Study Duration

October 2009 to March 2010

Participants

40 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Stimulation of certain posterior rootlets in L6/S1 significantly impacted bladder pressure, while others mainly affected urethral perfusion or intracavernous pressure.
2
L6 dorsal rootlet stimulation induced greater changes in urethral perfusion pressure compared to S1, whereas S1 stimulation resulted in larger changes in intracavernous pressure.
3
The study found that different posterior rootlets of L6 and S1 spinal cord segments modulate the functioning of different genitourinary tract organs.

Research Summary

This research explores the selective control of bladder and erectile functions by specific posterior spinal nerve roots (L6 and S1) in rats, utilizing electrostimulation and pressure measurements. The study demonstrates that different nerve rootlets within these segments exert distinct influences on bladder pressure, urethral perfusion pressure, and intracavernous pressure. The findings suggest potential for tailored surgical interventions, such as selective dorsal rootlet rhizotomy, to improve bladder function and preserve sexual function in spinal cord injury patients.

Practical Implications

Tailored Surgical Strategies

The study's findings enable surgical strategies tailored to specific clinical symptoms, such as reflex urinary incontinence, by selectively cutting sacral nerve rootlets.

Preservation of Sexual Function

Selective preservation of dorsal rootlets during surgery allows for the maintenance of reflex erection function, improving the patient's quality of life after spinal cord injury.

Improved Micturition Coordination

Selective resection of rootlets regulating the urethra can reduce sphincter spasticity, enhancing micturition coordination and reducing the risk of detrusor/sphincter dyssynergia.

Study Limitations

1
The correlation between posterior rootlets and genitourinary tract organs is not 'point-to-point'.
2
The study used Sprague-Dawley rats, and results may not fully translate to human anatomy and physiology.
3
Further basic and clinical research is required to fully reveal the potential of our findings.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury