Japan Society for the Promotion of Science:Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Date (from‐to) : 2018/04 -2022/03
Author : Iimura Koari
In the present study, we examined the effects of mild thermal stimulation of the skin on voiding efficiency using urethane anesthetized rats with reduced voiding efficiency.
Spontaneous urination was induced. For each voiding, the voiding efficiency was calculated from the voided volume and the bladder capacity. The voiding efficiency was increased significantly by 10-15% during thermal stimulation. During stimulation, the maximum vesical pressure during micturition was unchanged, but the urethral relaxation duration was significantly prolonged. Applying local anesthesia to the stimulated skin area abolished the changes in voiding efficiency in response to thermal stimulation. These results suggest that the excitation of cutaneous thermoreceptive afferents modulates urethral function during urination, thereby improving voiding efficiency.