Jl. Mostwin et al., GUINEA-PIG AS AN ANIMAL-MODEL FOR THE STUDY OF URINARY-BLADDER FUNCTION IN THE NORMAL AND OBSTRUCTED STATE, Neurourol. urodyn., 13(2), 1994, pp. 137-145
The guinea pig has become an excellent model for the study of mechanic
al and electrical mechanisms regulating bladder function in the normal
and obstructed state. Much preliminary work has been done on the in v
itro behavior of the detrusor smooth muscle. The tissue has permitted
electrophysiological studies by sucrose gap, microelectrode, and patch
clamp technique. Excellent urodynamic studies can be performed under
anesthesia. A recent model of bladder obstruction has resulted in a so
urce of tissue which is suitable for electrophysiological analysis of
the muscle. Low-cost and simple animal care requirements permit large-
scale studies correlating urodynamic, structural, biochemical, contrac
tile, and electrophysiological changes in response to obstruction. (C)
1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.