In vivo recording of contractile activity of pelvic urethra and seminal vesicle in rats. Effects of electrical stimulations and neurohypophysial hormones.

The spontaneous contractility of the pelvic urethra and seminal vesicles in the rat was recorded in vivo and the effects of the electrical stimulation as well as the neurohypophysial hormones on it were studied. The mean amplitude of pelvic urethra contractions was 3.2 +/- 0.9 cm H2O and the mean frequency was 4.1 +/- 0.8 contractions/min. The seminal vesicles contractions exhibited a mean amplitude of 1.6 +/- 0.7 cm H2O and a mean frequency of 2.6 +/- 0.8 contractions/min. Each electrical stimulation produced a sudden and vigorous contraction in pelvic urethra as well as in seminal vesicles. Oxytocin and vasopressin did not change neither the amplitude nor the frequency in the spontaneous activity of these organs.