Stimulation of Adrenergic Nerve Fibres to the Urinary Bladder of the Rat

Abstract

The contraction of the rat detrusor muscle caused by electrical stimulation of the hypogastric or pelvic nerves was followed by relaxation when the nerves were stimulated for a short period. The relaxation was more pronounced when the initial contraction was reduced by atropine. It was mediated by adrenergic fibers acting on inhibitory .beta.2-receptors. Stimulation of the hypogastric or pelvic nerves at high frequencies increased the contractile response probably via adrenergic fibers activating excitatory .alpha.-receptors.