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（颅神经X）可以传递感觉反应， 直接刺激大脑，完全绕过 脊髓 拟议中的实验对这一证据进行了严格的检验 并测试两种方法，通过这种方法， 加强了。 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）效应，则它可能是 对性功能的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 分项目将解决在生理和行为研究中， 实验室大鼠： 1. 迷走神经的感觉活动是否通过迷走神经投射 直接到延髓孤束核 绕过脊髓进入大脑 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 用c-fos免疫细胞化学方法。 2. 迷走神经介导的对阴道宫颈刺激的反应是否 通过感觉和/或激素治疗强化;具体地， a. 反复阴道宫颈刺激是否会加速 脊髓损伤后通过迷走神经的功能？ B. 雌激素是否刺激该系统的功能恢复？ 3. 阴道宫颈刺激会从神经叶释放催产素吗 通过迷走神经传导到脑下垂体 MBRS的学生在这个子项目将直接参与所有的 研究阶段从具体实验的制定到 在此基础上共同撰写出版物。他们将接受培训， 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 反应，无创血压和心率记录，血液 用于激素测定、行为生物测定、激素测定的采样 放射免疫分析，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 神经横切

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.