title: The role of the pubococcygeus muscle in the urethrogenital reflex of male rats.
abstract: To determine the response of the pubococcygeus muscle (Pcm) during the urethrogenital reflex (UGR).
  
  
  
  Urethane-anesthetized male rats (n = 20) were used to describe the gross anatomy of the Pcm (n = 3), the effect of the electrical stimulation of the Pcm on the urethral pressure (n = 3), and the reflex activity of the Pcm due to the mechanical stimulation of the urethra (n = 3) and during penile and urethrogenital reflexes (n = 11). The urethral pressure (UP) was recorded as a response to penile stimulation (brushing, extension, and occlusion) and during the UGR; the electromyographic activity of the Pcm was simultaneously evaluated. The role of the Pcm was assessed by measuring urethral pressure variables before and after denervation of this muscle.
  
  
  
  The Pcm is innervated by the caudal branch of the somatomotor branch of the pelvic nerve. The electrically induced contraction of the Pcm increased the UP. The mechanical stimulation of the urethra during the induced micturition caused the reflex activity of the Pcm. The different penile stimuli caused bursts of activity of the Pcm. During the UGR, the Pcm exhibited a tonic activity. The transection of the caudal branch of the Smb reduced the maximal UP during the penile stimulation. The same was true regarding the duration of the UGR, the pressure that triggers the UGR, and the highest pressure observed during the UGR.
  
  
  
  Our results suggest that the activation of the Pcm is relevant for the UGR in male rats. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:80-85, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Doctorado en Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
authors.forename: Irving
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Xicohténcatl-Rugerio
authors.affiliation: Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, México.
authors.forename: Dora Luz
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Corona-Quintanilla
authors.affiliation: Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, México.
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nicolás
authors.affiliation: Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, México.|Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Distrito Federal, México.
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martínez-Gómez
authors.affiliation: Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, México.
authors.forename: Estela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cuevas
authors.affiliation: Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, México.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Castelán
authors.affiliation: Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, México.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Antolín
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology; D010413:Penis / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D014521:Urethra / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology
keywords: bulbospongiosus muscle; ejaculation; pelvic floor; penile erection