Acute effects of unilateral pelvic ganglionectomy on urinary bladder function in vivo in the male rat.

Mean and maximal micturition volumes following a standardized water intake were determined before and up to three days after unilateral pelvic ganglionectomy or sham operation in adult male rats. Sham operation did not change the volumes. Unilateral ganglionectomy on the other hand decreased significantly both mean and maximal micturition volumes (and thus increased micturition frequency). The effect was most pronounced 1 day after ganglionectomy, but was still significant after 3 days. Cystometrograms were recorded without and with atropine (1 mg/kg) before operation and 1, 2 or 3 days after sham-operation or ganglionectomy. Micturition pressure decreased to about 50% 1 day after ganglionectomy and remained at this level. Atropine decreased micturition pressure in the controls to about 55% of the initial. The atropine resistant pressure response in the ganglionectomized rats amounted to 90% after 1 day, and was still above 70% after 3 days. The sham-operated controls had no residual urine without or with atropine. The unilaterally ganglionectomized animals had no residual urine in the absence of atropine, but after administration of the drug the animals rapidly developed a significant residual urine.