Vaginal Lubrication and Pressure Increase Induced by Pudendal Nerve Stimulation in Cats. Issue 10 (31st August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Jialiang; Zhong, Yihua; Wang, Jicheng; Shen, Bing; Shen, Zhijun; Beckel, Jonathan; de Groat, William; Chermansky, Christopher; Tai, Changfeng
• Is Part Of: Journal of sexual medicine. Volume 19:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: 1517
• Page End: 1523
• Publication Date: 2022-08-31
• Subjects: Stimulation -- Pudendal Nerve -- Vagina -- Spinal Cord Injury -- Cat; Sexual disorders -- Periodicals; Sex -- Periodicals; Sexual health -- Periodicals; 616.69005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.07.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-6095

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Vaginal lubrication and contractions are among the top difficulties affecting sexual intercourse in women after spinal cord injury. Aim: This study aimed at determining if pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS) can improve vaginal lubrication and induce increases in vaginal pressure. Methods: In anesthetized cats, a small piece of cotton was inserted into the vagina for 10 minutes with or without PNS to measure vaginal wetness by the weight increase of the vaginal cotton. Then, a small balloon catheter was inserted into the vagina to measure the pressure increase induced by PNS. Intensity response of the vagina to PNS (30 Hz, 0.2 ms, 5 seconds) was determined at 1–4 times of intensity threshold (T) for PNS to induce an observable vaginal pressure increase. Frequency response was determined at 2T intensity in a range of PNS frequencies (5–50 Hz). Finally, fatigue in vaginal pressure was determined by applying PNS (30 Hz, 2T) either continuously or intermittently (5 seconds on and 5 seconds off) for 4 minutes. Outcomes: The effectiveness of PNS in increasing vaginal wetness and pressure is evaluated. Results: PNS significantly ( P = .0327) increased the measurement of vaginal wetness from 15.8 ± 3.8 mg during control without stimulation to 32.4 ± 4.7 mg after stimulation. Vaginal pressure increased as PNS intensity or frequency increased. PNS (30 Hz, 2T) induced vaginal pressure increase ≥80% of the maximal response. Intermittent PNS induced significantly ( P = .0354) smaller fatigue (45.6 ± 3.7%) in vaginal pressure than continuous PNS (69.1 ± 3.0%) during the 4-minute stimulation. Clinical Translation: This study raises the possibility of developing a novel pudendal neuromodulation device to improve female sexual function after spinal cord injury. Strengths & Limitations: This study provides preclinical data supporting the development of a novel pudendal neuromodulation device. The limitation includes the lack of chemical analysis of the vaginal secretion. Conclusion: PNS can improve vaginal lubrication and induce increases in vaginal pressure.