In vivo inhibitory effects of stimulation at the central end of the pelvic nerve severed from urinary bladder on urinary bladder contraction in rats.

Two- or five-Hz electrical stimulation of the central end of the left pelvic nerve severed from the urinary bladder in rats inhibited bladder contraction induced by intravesical infusion of Tyrode's solution. Inhibition of bladder motility by 2-Hz nerve stimulation appeared after pretreatment with strychnine (0.3 mg/kg, i.v.), naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.v.) and picrotoxin (1 mg/kg, i.v.). Hypogastric nerve stimulation, however, did not affect bladder contraction. These results suggest the presence of an inhibitory mechanism on the pelvic motoneuron activated by contralateral pelvic nerve stimulation in rats.