An experimental model to evaluate the in vivo response of rat seminal vesicle to electrical stimulation

This investigation demonstrated a good model to record the pressure change of rat seminal vesicle (SV) in response to electrical stimulation (ES) of lesser splanchnic nerve (LSN) in vivo. LSN was easily identified and isolated grossly. Antegrade catheterization via the SV tail to the main lumen was performed similar to the technique of i.v. catheterization, and the pressure recording was quite satisfactory. The vesicle response to ES was frequency-dependent and reproducible. Under the conditions of 10 V and 1 ms, the maximal vesicle pressure was 81.7 ± 2.8 mmHg with 80 Hz of ES. The inhibitory response of SV to ES by clomipramine was concentration-dependent. Clomipramine (3 mg/kg) could inhibit 53% of control responses (n = 7). This experimental model is relevant to neurophysiologic and neuropharmacologic studies of SV.