Biomaterial Database

Responses of medullary reticular formation neurons to input from the male genitalia. 1996

C H Hubscher, and R D Johnson

Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

1. The medullary reticular formation (MRF) is known to be involved in the modulation of certain reproductive behaviors. Ejaculation in the male, disrupted after spinal transection, may depend on a spinal-bulbo-spinal connection. To determine whether single neurons in the MRF receive sensory input from the male genitalia, the present study was undertaken using electrophysiological techniques. 2. The MRF of 14 urethan-anesthetized mature male rats was searched for single neurons responsive to bilateral electrical stimulation of the dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP). In addition, each DNP-responsive neuron was tested for responsiveness to bilateral electrical stimulation of the pelvic nerve (PN) and to mechanical stimulation (gentle touch, pressure, pinch) of the external genitalia, anus, urethra, and skin over most regions of the body. 3. A total of 165 single neurons responsive to bilateral electrical stimulation of the DNP were isolated and characterized throughout the MRF. All neurons responded to both ipsilateral and contralateral DNP stimulation. The majority of responses were excitatory, and most neurons had no background activity. Some neurons required wind-up with bilateral electrical stimulation of the DNP to respond. 4. About half of the neurons were located in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (Gi); the remainder were located in surrounding (dorsal, ventral, lateral) regions of the MRF. Variations in response properties were found among neurons located in different MRF regions. 5. Eighty-eight DNP-responsive neurons were additionally responsive to bilateral electrical stimulation of the PN. None of the responses to bilateral PN were stronger than those for bilateral DNP and many (48%) were weaker. 6. Of the 165 DNP-responsive neurons, all were responsive to pressure/pinching of the penis; 16% responded to gentle stroking of the glans. Most of these neurons were additionally responsive (bilaterally) to pinching more than one (often all) of the following areas: perineum, scrotum, anus, ears, and toes (forefoot and hindfoot). 7. In conclusion, neurons located in the MRF of male rats are involved in the processing of bilaterally convergent inputs from multiple cutaneous and visceral regions of the body, including the penis and male urogenital tract. These neurons likely exert their effects by directly and/or indirectly activating ascending pathways to rostral regions of the brain important for somatovisceral sensation and motor behavior, and descending pathways to the spinal cord for modulation of segmental sexual reflexes. Contributions are likely for a wide spectrum of sensations and reproductive behaviors.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008526	Medulla Oblongata	The lower portion of the BRAIN STEM. It is inferior to the PONS and anterior to the CEREBELLUM. Medulla oblongata serves as a relay station between the brain and the spinal cord, and contains centers for regulating respiratory, vasomotor, cardiac, and reflex activities.	Accessory Cuneate Nucleus,Ambiguous Nucleus,Arcuate Nucleus of the Medulla,Arcuate Nucleus-1,External Cuneate Nucleus,Lateral Cuneate Nucleus,Nucleus Ambiguus,Ambiguus, Nucleus,Arcuate Nucleus 1,Arcuate Nucleus-1s,Cuneate Nucleus, Accessory,Cuneate Nucleus, External,Cuneate Nucleus, Lateral,Medulla Oblongatas,Nucleus, Accessory Cuneate,Nucleus, Ambiguous,Nucleus, External Cuneate,Nucleus, Lateral Cuneate
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010525	Peripheral Nerves	The nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, including the autonomic, cranial, and spinal nerves. Peripheral nerves contain non-neuronal cells and connective tissue as well as axons. The connective tissue layers include, from the outside to the inside, the epineurium, the perineurium, and the endoneurium.	Endoneurium,Epineurium,Perineurium,Endoneuriums,Epineuriums,Nerve, Peripheral,Nerves, Peripheral,Perineuriums,Peripheral Nerve
D012154	Reticular Formation	A region extending from the PONS & MEDULLA OBLONGATA through the MESENCEPHALON, characterized by a diversity of neurons of various sizes and shapes, arranged in different aggregations and enmeshed in a complicated fiber network.	Formation, Reticular,Formations, Reticular,Reticular Formations
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D005837	Genitalia, Male	The male reproductive organs. They are divided into the external organs (PENIS; SCROTUM; and URETHRA) and the internal organs (TESTIS; EPIDIDYMIS; VAS DEFERENS; SEMINAL VESICLES; EJACULATORY DUCTS; PROSTATE; and BULBOURETHRAL GLANDS).	Accessory Sex Organs, Male,Genital Organs, Male,Sex Organs, Accessory, Male,Genitals, Male,Reproductive System, Male,Genital, Male,Male Genital,Male Genital Organs,Male Genitalia,Male Genitals,Male Reproductive System,Male Reproductive Systems,Reproductive Systems, Male
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001696	Biomechanical Phenomena	The properties, processes, and behavior of biological systems under the action of mechanical forces.	Biomechanics,Kinematics,Biomechanic Phenomena,Mechanobiological Phenomena,Biomechanic,Biomechanic Phenomenas,Phenomena, Biomechanic,Phenomena, Biomechanical,Phenomena, Mechanobiological,Phenomenas, Biomechanic
D017208	Rats, Wistar	A strain of albino rat developed at the Wistar Institute that has spread widely at other institutions. This has markedly diluted the original strain.	Wistar Rat,Rat, Wistar,Wistar Rats