Korean J Urol.  2015 Dec;56(12):837-844. 10.4111/kju.2015.56.12.837.

Noxious electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor and vagina induces transient voiding dysfunction in a rabbit survival model of pelvic floor dystonia

• Dobberfuhl AD
• Spettel S
• Schuler C
• Levin RM
• Dubin AH
• De EJ

• KMID: 2359877
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4111/kju.2015.56.12.837

Abstract

PURPOSE
Existing data supports a relationship between pelvic floor dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms. We developed a survival model of pelvic floor dysfunction in the rabbit and evaluated cystometric (CMG), electromyographic (EMG) and ambulatory voiding behavior.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twelve female adult virgin rabbits were housed in metabolic cages to record voiding and defecation. Anesthetized CMG/EMG was performed before and after treatment animals (n=9) received bilateral tetanizing needle stimulation to the pubococcygeous (PC) muscle and controls (n=3) sham needle placement. After 7 days all animals were subjected to tetanizing transvaginal stimulation and CMG/EMG. After 5 days a final CMG/EMG was performed.
RESULTS
Of rabbits that underwent needle stimulation 7 of 9 (78%) demonstrated dysfunctional CMG micturition contractions versus 6 of 12 (50%) after transvaginal stimulation. Needle stimulation of the PC musculature resulted in significant changes in: basal CMG pressure, precontraction pressure change, contraction pressure, interval between contractions and postvoid residual; with time to 3rd contraction increased from 38 to 53 minutes (p=0.008 vs. prestimulation). Vaginal noxious stimulation resulted in significant changes in: basal CMG pressure and interval between contractions; with time to 3rd contraction increased from 37 to 46 minutes (p=0.008 vs. prestimulation). Changes in cage parameters were primarily seen after direct needle stimulation.
CONCLUSIONS
In a majority of animals, tetanizing electrical stimulation of the rabbit pelvic floor resulted in voiding changes suggestive of pelvic floor dysfunction as characterized by a larger bladder capacity, longer interval between contractions and prolonged contraction duration.

Keyword

Animal models; Dystonia; Pelvic floor; Urination; Vagina

MeSH Terms

Animals
Disease Models, Animal
Dystonia/*etiology
Electric Stimulation/adverse effects/methods
Electromyography/methods
Female
Muscle Contraction/physiology
Pelvic Floor/*physiopathology
Pelvic Floor Disorders/*complications/physiopathology
Rabbits
Urinary Bladder/physiopathology
Urinary Retention/*etiology
Urination/physiology
Urine
Vagina/*physiopathology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Treatment timeline. CMG, cystometric; EMG, electromyographic.

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  Fig. 2 CMG/EMG stimulation protocol. CMG, cystometric; EMG, electromyographic.

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  Fig. 3 Representative cystometric bladder contractions. (A) Normal contraction with slow rise in pressure accompanied by productive void and (B) dysfunctional contraction with high pressure and prolonged duration poorly productive void.

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  Fig. 4 Box plot of day 1 to day 17 mean 24-hour urinary frequency and mean volume per void for animals grouped according to day 4 treatment allocation (sham needle placement [control, n=3] versus needle noxious PC pelvic floor stimulation [treatment, n=9]). **p-value=0.011 versus control (repeated measures analysis of variance).

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