Effects of urinary bladder afferents on respiration

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Abstract
The electrical activity of phrenic and recurrent laryngeal motoneurons was recorded during activation of urinary bladder afferents in pentobarbital-anesthetized, paralyzed, artificially ventilated cats. Distension or spontaneous neurogenic contraction of the bladder decreased the amplitude and frequency (bursts/min) of the burst activity in these two nerves. The decrease in frequency was due mainly to a prolongation of the interburst interval (duration of expiration). Similar effects were observed during low-frequency electrical stimulation of pelvic nerve afferents with conduction velocities in the A gamma-A delta range. High-frequency stimulation of pelvic nerve afferents increased the amplitude of the burst activity in these two nerves. These results suggest an action of bladder afferents on the brain stem oscillator controlling respiratory frequency and drive. Some of the excitatory and inhibitory effects of bladder afferents on phrenic motoneurons may be mediated through spinal circuits.