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European Society for Sexual Medicine Consensus Statement on the Use of the Cavernous Nerve Injury Rodent Model to Study Postradical Prostatectomy Erectile Dysfunction. Sex Med 2020; 8:327-337. [PMID: 32674971 PMCID: PMC7471127 DOI: 10.1016/j.esxm.2020.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rodent animal models are currently the most used in vivo model in translational studies looking into the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. AIM This European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM) statement aims to guide scientists toward utilization of the rodent model in an appropriate, timely, and proficient fashion. METHODS MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for basic science studies, using a rodent animal model, looking into the consequence of pelvic nerve injury on erectile function. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The authors present a consensus on how to best perform experiments with this rodent model, the details of the technique, and highlight possible pitfalls. RESULTS Owing to the specific issue-basic science-Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence criteria cannot be applied. However, ESSM statements on this topic will be provided in which we summarize the ESSM position on various aspects of the model such as the use of the Animal Research Reporting In Vivo Experiments guideline and the of common range parameter for nerve stimulation. We also highlighted the translational limits of the model. CONCLUSION The following statements were formulated as a suggestive guidance for scientists using the cavernous nerve injury model. With this, we hope to standardize and further improve the quality of research in this field. It must be noted that this model has its limitations. Weyne E, Ilg MM, Cakir OO, et al. European Society for Sexual Medicine Consensus Statement on the Use of the Cavernous Nerve Injury Rodent Model to Study Postradical Prostatectomy Erectile Dysfunction. Sex Med 2020;8:327-337.
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Steadman CJ, Vangoor SS, Hubscher CH. Telemetric monitoring of penile pressure during mating in rats after chronic spinal cord injury. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2019; 317:R673-R683. [PMID: 31483153 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00171.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In men with a spinal cord injury (SCI), erectile function, ejaculation, and fertility are severely impaired. The present study utilized a telemetric pressure transducer implanted into the corpus cavernosum of the penis to examine sexual function during awake mating behavior in a rat contusion model with a range of Infinite Horizon Impactor forces distributed between 150 and 215 kdyn. The mating behavior paradigm included examination of the counts, average pressure, and average duration for mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations. Male Wistar rats were mated with receptive females in 30-min sessions preinjury (sexual acclimation) and once per week for 6 wk beginning after a 2-wk recovery period post-SCI. All SCI animals had significant deficits in sexual function in the parameters measured. These deficiencies were more prevalent in a subset having less than 20% white matter sparing, likely a reflection of the extent of bilateral spino-bulbo-spinal sexual circuitry disruption at the lesion epicenter. The resulting discoordination of the autonomic and somatic reflex control of erection and ejaculation recorded using telemetry devices in an awake, behaving animal model provides an effective means of gauging sexual function deficits after SCI and could have utility for quantifying recovery after a therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey J Steadman
- Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Sai S Vangoor
- Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Charles H Hubscher
- Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Louisville, Kentucky
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Activity-Based Training Alters Penile Reflex Responses in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury. J Sex Med 2019; 16:1143-1154. [PMID: 31277969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multisystem functional gains have been reported in males with spinal cord injury (SCI) after undergoing activity-based training (ABT), including increases in scoring of sexual function and reports of improved erectile function. AIM This study aims to examine the effect of daily 60-minute locomotor training and exercise in general on sexual function in a rat SCI contusion model. METHODS Male Wistar rats received a T9 contusion SCI. Animals were randomized into 4 groups: a quadrupedal stepping group (SCI + QT), a forelimb-only exercise group (SCI + FT), a non-trained harnessed group (SCI + NT), and a home cage non-trained group (SCI + HC). The 2 non-trained groups were combined (SCI) post hoc. Daily training sessions were 60 minutes in duration for 8 weeks. Urine samples were collected during bi-weekly 24-hour metabolic cage behavioral testing. Latency, numbers of penile dorsiflexion, and glans cupping were recorded during bi-weekly penile dorsiflexion reflex (PDFR) testing. Terminal electromyography (EMG) recordings of the bulbospongiosus muscle (BSM) were recorded in response to stimulation of the dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP). OUTCOMES ABT after SCI had a significant effect on PDFR, as well as BSM EMG latency and burst duration. RESULTS SCI causes a significant decrease in the latency to onset of PDFR. After 8 weeks of ABT, SCI + QT animals had a significantly increased latency relative to the post-SCI baseline. BSM EMG response to DNP stimulation had a significantly decreased latency and increase in average and maximum amplitude in SCI + QT animals. SCI animals had a significantly longer burst duration than trained animals. Time between PDFR events, penile dorsiflexion, glans cupping, and urine testosterone were not affected by ABT. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS ABT has a positive influence on sexual function and provides a potential therapy to enhance the efficacy of current sexual dysfunction therapies in the male SCI population. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS Several significant small improvements in sexual function were found in a clinically relevant rat model of SCI using a readily available rehabilitative therapy. The limited findings could reflect insensitivity of the PDFR as a measure of erectile function. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that task-specific stepping and/or loading provide sensory input to the spinal cord impacting the neural circuitry responsible for sexual function. Steadman CJ, Hoey RF, Montgomery LR, et al. Activity-Based Training Alters Penile Reflex Responses in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury. J Sex Med 2019; 16:1143-1154.
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Keller JA, Chen J, Simpson S, Wang EHJ, Lilascharoen V, George O, Lim BK, Stowers L. Voluntary urination control by brainstem neurons that relax the urethral sphincter. Nat Neurosci 2018; 21:1229-1238. [PMID: 30104734 PMCID: PMC6119086 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0204-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Voluntary urination ensures that waste is eliminated when safe and socially appropriate, even without a pressing urge. Uncontrolled urination, or incontinence, is a common problem with few treatment options. Normal urine release requires a small region in the brainstem known as Barrington's nucleus (Bar), but specific neurons that relax the urethral sphincter and enable urine flow are unknown. Here we identify a small subset of Bar neurons that control the urethral sphincter in mice. These excitatory neurons express estrogen receptor 1 (BarESR1), project to sphincter-relaxing interneurons in the spinal cord and are active during natural urination. Optogenetic stimulation of BarESR1 neurons rapidly initiates sphincter bursting and efficient voiding in anesthetized and behaving animals. Conversely, optogenetic and chemogenetic inhibition reveals their necessity in motivated urination behavior. The identification of these cells provides an expanded model for the control of urination and its dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Keller
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jingyi Chen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sierra Simpson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eric Hou-Jen Wang
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Varoth Lilascharoen
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Olivier George
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Byung Kook Lim
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lisa Stowers
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Steadman CJ, Hubscher CH. Sexual Function after Spinal Cord Injury: Innervation, Assessment, and Treatment. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11930-016-0067-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results not only in motor and sensory deficits but also in autonomic dysfunctions. The disruption of connections between higher brain centers and the spinal cord, or the impaired autonomic nervous system itself, manifests a broad range of autonomic abnormalities. This includes compromised cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, thermoregulatory, and sexual activities. These disabilities evoke potentially life-threatening symptoms that severely interfere with the daily living of those with SCI. In particular, high thoracic or cervical SCI often causes disordered hemodynamics due to deregulated sympathetic outflow. Episodic hypertension associated with autonomic dysreflexia develops as a result of massive sympathetic discharge often triggered by unpleasant visceral or sensory stimuli below the injury level. In the pelvic floor, bladder and urethral dysfunctions are classified according to upper motor neuron versus lower motor neuron injuries; this is dependent on the level of lesion. Most impairments of the lower urinary tract manifest in two interrelated complications: bladder storage and emptying. Inadequate or excessive detrusor and sphincter functions as well as detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia are examples of micturition abnormalities stemming from SCI. Gastrointestinal motility disorders in spinal cord injured-individuals are comprised of gastric dilation, delayed gastric emptying, and diminished propulsive transit along the entire gastrointestinal tract. As a critical consequence of SCI, neurogenic bowel dysfunction exhibits constipation and/or incontinence. Thus, it is essential to recognize neural mechanisms and pathophysiology underlying various complications of autonomic dysfunctions after SCI. This overview provides both vital information for better understanding these disorders and guides to pursue novel therapeutic approaches to alleviate secondary complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoping Hou
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Nout YS, Culp E, Schmidt MH, Tovar CA, Pröschel C, Mayer-Pröschel M, Noble MD, Beattie MS, Bresnahan JC. Glial restricted precursor cell transplant with cyclic adenosine monophosphate improved some autonomic functions but resulted in a reduced graft size after spinal cord contusion injury in rats. Exp Neurol 2010; 227:159-71. [PMID: 21040723 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2010.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2010] [Revised: 10/13/2010] [Accepted: 10/21/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Transplantation of glial restricted precursor (GRP) cells has been shown to reduce glial scarring after spinal cord injury (SCI) and, in combination with neuronal restricted precursor (NRP) cells or enhanced expression of neurotrophins, to improve recovery of function after SCI. We hypothesized that combining GRP transplants with rolipram and cAMP would improve functional recovery, similar to that seen after combining Schwann cell transplants with increasing cAMP. A short term study, (1) uninjured control, (2) SCI+vehicle, and (3) SCI+cAMP, showed that spinal cord [cAMP] was increased 14days after SCI. We used 51 male rats subjected to a thoracic SCI for a 12-week survival study: (1) SCI+vehicle, (2) SCI+GRP, (3) SCI+cAMP, (4) SCI+GRP+cAMP, and (5) uninjured endpoint age-matched control (AM). Rolipram was administered for 2weeks after SCI. At 9days after SCI, GRP transplantation and injection of dibutyryl-cAMP into the spinal cord were performed. GRP cells survived, differentiated, and formed extensive transplants that were well integrated with host tissue. Presence of GRP cells increased the amount of tissue in the lesion; however, cAMP reduced the graft size. White matter sparing at the lesion epicenter was not affected. Serotonergic input to the lumbosacral spinal cord was not affected by treatment, but the amount of serotonin immediately caudal to the lesion was reduced in the cAMP groups. Using telemetric monitoring of corpus spongiosum penis pressure we show that the cAMP groups regained the same number of micturitions per 24hours when compared to the AM group, however, the frequency of peak pressures was increased in these groups compared to the AM group. In contrast, the GRP groups had similar frequency of peak pressures compared to baseline and the AM group. Animals that received GRP cells regained the same number of erectile events per 24hours compared to baseline and the AM group. Since cAMP reduced the GRP transplant graft, and some modest positive effects were seen that could be attributable to both GRP or cAMP, future research is required to determine how cAMP affects survival, proliferation, and/or function of progenitor cells and how this is related to function. cAMP may not always be a desirable addition to a progenitor cell transplantation strategy after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette S Nout
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, 1001 Potrero Ave. Bld 1 Rm 101, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.
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Iwasaki H, Jodo E, Kawauchi A, Miki T, Kayama Y, Koyama Y. Role of the lateral preoptic area and the bed nucleus of stria terminalis in the regulation of penile erection. Brain Res 2010; 1357:70-8. [PMID: 20705064 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2010] [Revised: 08/01/2010] [Accepted: 08/03/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate the role of the preoptic area (POA) in the regulation of penile erection, we examined the effects of electrical stimulation in and around the POA on penile erection in rats, which was assessed by changes in pressure in the corpus spongiosum of the penis (CSP) and electromyography (EMG) of the bulbospongiosus (BS) muscle. In unanesthetized and anesthetized rats, four types of responses were induced by stimulation in and around the POA; (1) normal type responses, which were similar to spontaneously occurring erections, characterized by slow increase in CSP pressure and sharp peaks concurrent with BS muscle bursting; (2) muscular type responses, which included sharp CSP pressure peaks (muscular component) with almost no vascular component; (3) mixed type responses, which included a sequence of high-frequency CSP peaks followed by low-frequency CSP peaks; and (4) micturition type responses, which had higher-frequency and lower-amplitude CSP peaks than other responses which were identical to those of normal micturition. In unanesthetized condition, erections were evoked by stimulation of the lateral preoptic area (LPOA), medial preoptic area (MPOA), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), paraventricular nucleus (PVN), reuniens thalamic nucleus (Re) and lateral septum (LS). Lower-intensity stimulation evoked erections from the LPOA, BST, PVN and RE, but not the MPOA. In anesthetized condition, stronger stimuli were required and effective sites were restricted to the LPOA, MPOA and BST. These findings suggest that the lateral and medial subdivisions of the preoptic area play different roles in mediating penile erection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Iwasaki
- Department of Neurophysiology, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikari-ga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
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Temeltas G, Dagci T, Evren V, Lekili M. Effects of Neuronal and Glial Restricted Precursor Cells Transplantation on Erectile Function after Experimentally Induced Spinal Cord Injury. J Sex Med 2009; 6:3265-73. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01376.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Gulia K, Jodo E, Kawauchi A, Miki T, Kayama Y, Mallick H, Koyama Y. The septal area, site for the central regulation of penile erection during waking and rapid eye movement sleep in rats: A stimulation study. Neuroscience 2008; 156:1064-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2008] [Revised: 07/05/2008] [Accepted: 08/18/2008] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Inskip JA, Ramer LM, Ramer MS, Krassioukov AV. Autonomic assessment of animals with spinal cord injury: tools, techniques and translation. Spinal Cord 2008; 47:2-35. [DOI: 10.1038/sc.2008.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Šedý J, Urdzíková L, Jendelová P, Syková E. Methods for behavioral testing of spinal cord injured rats. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2008; 32:550-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2007.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2007] [Revised: 08/09/2007] [Accepted: 10/03/2007] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Salas JCT, Iwasaki H, Jodo E, Schmidt MH, Kawauchi A, Miki T, Kayama Y, Otsuki M, Koyama Y. Penile erection and micturition events triggered by electrical stimulation of the mesopontine tegmental area. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2007; 294:R102-11. [PMID: 17977912 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00226.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The cholinergic neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) play a crucial role in the regulation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Because penile erection occurs during REM sleep, the involvement of the LDT in penile erection was examined in unanesthetized head-restrained rats. To detect penile erection, corpus spongiosum of the penis (CSP) pressure was measured through a telemetric device with simultaneous bulbospongiosum (BS) muscle EMG recording through stainless wires. Electrical stimulation in and around the LDT induced the following three CSP pressure patterns: 1) a full erection pattern indistinguishable from the nonevoked or spontaneous erection, characterized by a slow increase in CSP pressure with additional sharp CSP peaks associated with BS muscle bursts, 2) a muscular pattern characterized by sharp CSP pressure peaks but in the absence of a vascular component, i.e., without an increase in baseline CSP pressure, and 3) a mixed-type response characterized by high-frequency CSP pressure peaks followed by a full erection response. Full erections were evoked in and around the LDT, including more medially and ventrally. The sites for inducing mixed-type events were intermingled with the sites that triggered full erections in the anterior half of the LDT, whereas they were separated in the posterior half. The sites for muscular responses were lateral to the sites for full erections. Finally, a CSP pressure response identical to micturition was evoked in and around the Barrington's nucleus and in the dorsal raphe nucleus. These results suggest that the LDT and surrounding region are involved in the regulation of penile erection. Moreover, different anatomical areas in the mesopontine tegmentum may have specific roles in the regulation of penile erection and micturition.
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