Neuroscience 2001 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 842.15 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | EARLY EFFECTS OF ESTROGEN ON PUDENDAL NERVE REGENERATION. |
| Authors: |
Kane, D. D.*1
; Kerns, J. M.1
; Damaser, M. S.2
1Anatomy, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL 2Research Service, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, IL |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Autonomic, Limbic and Other Systems - Autonomic -- Gastrointestinal and urogenital regulation |
| Session: |
842. Autonomic: gastrointestinal and urogenital regulation IV Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Wednesday, November 14, 2001 3:00 PM-4:00 PM |
| Location: | Exhibit Hall QQ-4 |
| Keywords: | incontinence, axon, denervation, nerve injury |
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) affects primarily elderly women and has a complex etiology, including pudendal nerve injury and decreasing estrogen levels. The pudendal nerve innervates the external urethral sphincter (EUS), which helps maintain urinary continence. Our goal was to determine the early effects of estrogen depletion/supplementation on the pudendal nerve following a bilateral crush injury. Virgin female rats (n=15) were ovariectomized and underwent a bilateral pudendal nerve crush injury. Seven rats (E group) received a subcutaneous estrogen-containing capsule and eight rats (S group) received a saline sham subcutaneous capsule. After two weeks the rats were euthanized and the pudendal nerves were prepared for light and electron microscopy. Under oil immersion, the myelinated axons, large myelinated axons (> 6 μm), myelin figures, large unmyelinated axons (>1 μm), and endoneurial nuclei were counted in the right EUS branch. Student's t-test determined statistical significance (p<0.05) between the groups. The mean number of large unmyelinated axons was significantly greater in the E group(18.3 ± 1.4) than in the S group (7.8 ± 0.5). There was no significant difference between E and S groups in number of myelinated axons, large myelinated axons, myelin figures, or endoneurial nuclei. It seems likely that estrogen plays a role in unmyelinated axon development following a crush injury. Due to their large size, these axons may become myelinated, increasing the chances of a faster and more complete recovery. More studies are planned to determine the permanence and clinical significance of this enhanced growth.
Supported by Retirement Research Fndn., Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and Anatomy Dept.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2001 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2001. Online.
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