Hemodynamic evaluation of the female sexual arousal response in an animal model

The goal of this study was to assess the utility of existing and neu., tech niques for characterizing and measuring hemodynamic changes in the vagina a nd clitoris in response to pelvic nerve stimulation (PNS) in an animal mode l, Using female New Zealand White rabbits, we measured the following pet ra meters before, during, and after PNS at 4, 16, and 32 hertz (Hz.): clitora l hemoglobin (Hb) content by, laser oximetry, clitoral blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry, vaginal luminal pressure of upper and lower segments, a nd clitoral intracavernosal pressure. Clitoral tissue concentrations of tot al and oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) increased in a frequency-dependent ma nner while deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb) concentration decreased. The duration of the responses at 16 and 32 Hz were significantly greater than a t 4 Hz. Clitoral blood flow increased significantly only at 32 Hz with a pr olonged response duration, relative to 4 Hz. PNS caused vaginal luminal pre ssure changes that were highly variable, but qualitatively different, betwe en the upper and lower regions. Clitoral intracavernosal pressure did not c hange significantly in response to PNS. Measurement of changes in tissue Hb content by The novel technique of laser oximetry provides a direct assessm ent of blood flow in a noninvasive manner and may prove to be a powerful to ol in evaluating hemodynamic aspects of the female genital sexual response.