Electrophysiological study of relations between the dorsal nerve of the penis and the lumbar sympathetic chain in the rat.

Afferent sensory inputs from the penis are carried by the dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP) to the spinal cord. Sympathetic outflow involved in the control of the urogenital tract is partly conveyed by the lumbosacral sympathetic chain. Our aim was to search for a sympathetic component in the DNP and relations between DNP afferents and sympathetic fibers conveyed by the distal sympathetic chain in anesthetized adult male rats. Stimulation of the lumbar sympathetic chain at the L4-L5 level (LSC4-5) elicited an evoked discharge on the DNP. This discharge was abolished by cutting the sympathetic chain distal to the stimulation site. Ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium and various neural sections revealed the presence of sympathetic postganglionic fibers in the DNP, originating in the sympathetic chain. Stimulation of the DNP evoked a reflex discharge in the LSC. This reflex was spinally mediated since it was abolished by acute spinal cord transection at the L5 level. Acute spinalization at the T8 level significantly reduced the latency of the evoked response. We hypothesize that both spinal and supraspinal control exist over relations of the DNP afferents with sympathetic outflow to the pelvis. Increase in sympathetic tone elicited by activation of penile sensory fibers could play a role in regulation of sexual function.