Four electrophysiological studies characterized responses of single neurons in the gracile (NG) and solitary (NTS) nuclei to cutaneous and pelvic visceral stimuli in 65 anesthetized female rats in estrus. The stimuli were brushing and gently pinching skin, distending uterus and vagina, gently probing vagina and cervix before and after various spinal lesions or vagotomy. / Study #1. Of 116 NG neurons examined, almost all were excited by brushing ipsilateral hindquarters or tail. Many (48%) also responded to pelvic visceral stimuli. / Study #2. Ten additional viscerally-responsive NG neurons were tested (10 rats). Lesions restricted to dorsal columns of the spinal cord eliminated responses to stimulation of skin and uterus and altered responses to cervix and vaginal stimulation. Larger lesions that included the dorsolateral funiculus (DLF) eliminated responses to cervix and vagina. / Study #3. Of 90 NTS neurons examined, none responded to cutaneous stimuli whereas 30% responded to pelvic visceral stimuli. / Study #4. Twelve additional viscerally-responsive NTS neurons were tested (12 rats). Bilateral vagotomies eliminated responses to uterine distension and altered responses to cervix and vaginal stimulation. Spinal cord transections eliminated responses to all pelvic organ stimuli. / Together, these results expand the growing list of central regions involved in processing sensory information from pelvic organs to include NG and NTS. The results demonstrate that dorsal column and vagal inputs can modulate responses to stimulation of both the cervix and vagina in NG and NTS, respectively, and implicate the DLF as the route by which their input is conveyed to both regions. The results also demonstrate that the dorsal columns and vagus either convey information from the uterus to NG and NTS, respectively, or facilitate neuronal responses to uterine distension conveyed to NG and NTS via the DLF. Taken together, the findings make it apparent that NG and NTS are important components of neural systems significant for coordinating somatosensory and visceral processes, respectively, during various reproductive behaviors. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-04, Section: B, page: 1705. / Major Professor: Karen J. Berkley. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1994.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77163 |
| Contributors | Hubscher, Charles H., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 93 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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