ANALGESIA PRODUCED BY BIRTH CANAL STIMULATION

根据这个实验室最近资助的研究，有证据表明 迷走神经(脑神经X)可以传递感觉反应 阴道刺激直接进入大脑，完全绕过 脊髓。拟议中的实验对这一证据进行了关键的检验。 并测试两种方法，通过这两种方法可以 愈演愈烈。如果这一途径被证明发挥了行为作用(例如，止痛) 和/或生理(例如神经内分泌反射)的影响，那么它可能是 性功能康复的潜在临床意义 在脊髓损伤后。 以下是MBRS学生对此的研究问题 子项目将在生理和行为研究中解决 实验鼠： 1.阴道颈部感觉活动是否通过迷走神经投射？ 直接向延髓孤束核投射 大脑，绕过脊髓？这个问题将得到解决 用c-fos绕过脊髓？这个问题将得到解决 C-fos免疫细胞化学染色。 2.迷走神经介导的对阴道刺激的反应能否 通过感觉和/或荷尔蒙治疗而加强；具体地说， A.反复刺激阴道口是否能加速康复 脊髓损伤后迷走神经的功能？ 雌激素是否刺激这个系统功能的恢复？ 3.阴道刺激是否会从神经叶释放催产素 通过迷走神经的脑下垂体？ 参与这个子项目的MBRS学生将直接参与所有 研究阶段从制定具体的实验到 以其为基础的出版物的合著性。他们将接受培训， 免疫细胞化学、计算机图像分析、动物方法学 显微外科、多导生理记录仪和示波器记录生理 反应，无创血压和心率记录，血液 荷尔蒙测定、行为生物测定、荷尔蒙取样 放射免疫分析、行为观察和记录，以及强化 大鼠脊髓和/或迷走神经切断术后的护理 神经横断术。

Based on recent funded research in this laboratory, there is evidence that the vagus nerve (Cranial nerve X) can convey sensory responses to vaginocervical stimulation directly into the brain, completely bypassing the spinal cord. The proposed experiments critically test this evidence and test two means by which the responsiveness of the pathway might be intensified. If this pathway proves to exert behavioral (e.g. analgesia) and/or physiological (e.g. neuroendocrine reflex) effects, then it could be of potential clinical significance in rehabilitation of sexual function after spinal cord injury. The following ar e the research questions that the MBRS students on this subproject would address in physiological and behavioral studies in the laboratory rat: 1. Does vaginocervical sensory activity project via the vagus nerve directly to the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract of the medulla oblongata of the brain, bypassing the spinal cord? This question would be addressed using c-fos bypassing the spinal cord? This question would be addressed using c-fos immunocytochemistry. 2. Can the vagus-mediated response to vaginocervical stimulation be intensified by sensory and/or hormonal treatment; Specifically, a. Does repeated vaginocervical stimulation accelerate recovery of function via the vagus nerve after spinal cord injury? b. Does estrogen stimulate recovery of function in this system? 3. Does vaginocervical stimulation release oxytocin from the neural lobe of the pituitary gland via the vagus nerve? The MBRS students on this subproject would be directly involved in the all phases of the research from formulation of the specific experiments to coauthorship of the publications based on it. They would be trained in methodologies of immunocytochemistry, computerized image analysis, animal microsurgery, polygraph and oscilloscope recording of physiological responses, non-invasive blood pressure and heart rate recording, blood sampling for hormone assays, behavioral bioassay, hormonal radioimmunoassay, behavioral observation and recording, and intensive postsurgical care of the rats after spinal cord transection and/or vagus nerve transection.