Inhibitory influence from the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis on the micturition reflex induced by electrical stimulation of the pontine micturition center in cats

Abstract An inhibitory influence from the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis on the micturition induced by electrical stimulation of the pontine micturition center was investigated in decerebrate cats at the supracollicular level. Monopolar electrical stimulation (30 - 50, μA, 0.2 ms, 50 Hz, 3 s) of the nucleus locus coeruleus alpha (pontine micturition center) produced micturition similar to that induced by distending the bladder by saline infusion. The intravesical pressure increase and micturition induced by electrical stimulation of the nucleus locus coeruleus alpha were suppressed by electrical stimulation of the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis in the intensity range 20–100 μA in a stimulus-intensity-dependent manner. These findings indicate that the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis has an inhibitory influence on the functions of the micturition center.