ANALGESIA PRODUCED BY BIRTH CANAL STIMULATION

根据该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 阴道宫颈刺激直接进入大脑，完全绕过 脊髓。 拟议的实验批判性地测试了这一证据 并测试两种可能的途径响应性的方法 加剧。 如果该途径被证明可以发挥行为作用（例如镇痛） 和/或生理（例如神经内分泌反射）影响，那么它可能是 对性功能康复具有潜在的临床意义 脊髓损伤后。 以下是 MBRS 学生对此的研究问题 子项目将涉及生理和行为研究 实验室大鼠： 1. 阴道宫颈感觉活动是否通过迷走神经投射 直接到达延髓孤束核 大脑，绕过脊髓？ 这个问题将得到解答 使用 c-fos 绕过脊髓？ 这个问题将得到解决 使用 c-fos 免疫细胞化学。 2. 迷走神经介导的对阴道宫颈刺激的反应是否可以 通过感官和/或激素治疗强化； 具体来说， a. 反复刺激阴道宫颈能加速恢复吗 脊髓损伤后迷走神经的功能如何？ b. 雌激素会刺激该系统功能的恢复吗？ 3.阴道宫颈刺激是否会从神经叶释放催产素 通过迷走神经进入垂体？ 该子项目的 MBRS 学生将直接参与所有项目 研究的各个阶段，从具体实验的制定到 以此为基础的出版物的共同作者。 他们将接受以下方面的培训 免疫细胞化学方法学、计算机图像分析、动物 显微外科手术、测谎仪和示波器记录生理情况 反应、无创血压和心率记录、血液 激素测定、行为生物测定、激素取样 放射免疫测定、行为观察和记录以及强化 脊髓横断和/或迷走神经切断后大鼠的术后护理 神经横断。

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.