INHIBITORY INFLUENCE FROM THE NUCLEUS-RETICULARIS PONTIS ORALIS ON THE MICTURITION REFLEX INDUCED BY ELECTRICAL-STIMULATION OF THE PONTINE MICTURITION CENTER IN CATS

An inhibitory influence from the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis on the micturition induced by electrical stimulation of the pontine mictu rition center was investigated in decerebrate cats at the supracollicu lar level. Monopolar electrical stimulation (30-50 mu A, 0.2 ms, 50 Hz , 3 s) of the nucleus locus coeruleus alpha (pontine micturition cente r) produced micturition similar to that induced by distending the blad der by saline infusion. The intravesical pressure increase and micturi tion induced by electrical stimulation of the nucleus locus coeruleus alpha were suppressed by electrical stimulation of the nucleus reticul aris pontis oralis in the intensity range 20-100 mu A in a stimulus-in tensity-dependent manner. These findings indicate that the nucleus ret icularis pontis oralis has an inhibitory influence on the functions of the micturition center.