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Clitoral Sexual Arousal: Neuronal Tracing Study From the Clitoris Through the Spinal Tracts

2008; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 180; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.juro.2008.06.009

1527-3792

Nieves Martín‐Alguacil, Justine Schober, Dale R. Sengelaub, Donald W. Pfaff, Deborah N. Shelley,

Hormonal and reproductive studies

No AccessJournal of UrologyReview Article1 Oct 2008Clitoral Sexual Arousal: Neuronal Tracing Study From the Clitoris Through the Spinal Tracts Nieves Martin-Alguacil, Justine M. Schober, Dale R. Sengelaub, Donald W. Pfaff, and Deborah N. Shelley Nieves Martin-AlguacilNieves Martin-Alguacil Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, New York Department of Anatomy and Embryology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain , Justine M. SchoberJustine M. Schober Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, New York Hamot Medical Center, Erie, Pennsylvania , Dale R. SengelaubDale R. Sengelaub Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana , Donald W. PfaffDonald W. Pfaff Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, New York , and Deborah N. ShelleyDeborah N. Shelley Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, New York View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2008.06.009AboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract Purpose: Although genital tactile stimulation is regarded as a precursor to sexual arousal and a recognized initiator of central nervous system arousal, specific afferent neural pathways transmit sensory stimuli of arousal, beginning at the epithelial level on the clitoris and following the course of arousal stimuli through the central nervous system. Limited knowledge exists of the pathway from the cutaneous receptors of nerves originating in the epithelial tissue of the clitoris and continuing to spinal cord afferents. Such information may contribute to an understanding of sexual arousal, particularly in female vertebrates. We further defined the neural pathways and mechanisms responsible for arousal originating in the epithelium of the clitoris as well as related neural pathways to the spinal cord in a murine model. Materials and Methods: We performed a comprehensive review of the published relevant clinical and histological material from human and nonhuman vertebrate studies. In 29 adult female C57B1/6 mice the distribution of pelvic nerves and vessels was mapped. Gross dissection of 4 female mice was facilitated by resin injection of the vascular system in 2. Neuronal tracing was performed in 25 mice that received clitoral injection of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase into the clitoris and were sacrificed after 72 to 96 hours. The spinal cord and periclitoral tissue were removed and fixed. Immunohistochemistry was performed. Results: Gross anatomy of the mouse clitoris showed that pudendal and hypogastric nerves have a major role in the innervation of the external genitalia. Neuronal tracing revealed that the greatest nerve density was noted in the L5/6 spinal cord. The distribution extended from S1 to L2 with no labeling seen in the L3 spinal cord. Wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase labeling was seen caudal in levels S1 through L4 and rostral in L2. Conclusions: Understanding the neuroanatomy of the clitoris using a murine model may provide a valuable tool for the study of sexual arousal disorders and the further understanding of sexual function related to neural pathologies and trauma. References 1 : The dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Q J Exp Physiol1982; 67: 193. Google Scholar 2 : Pudendal nerve topography in the rat spinal cord projections studied with the axonal tracer wheat germ agglutinin conjugated-horseradish peroxidase. J Urol1992; 147: 718. Link, Google Scholar 3 : Identification of neural circuits involved in female genital responses in the rat: a dual virus and anterograde tracing study. 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Google Scholar © 2008 by American Urological AssociationFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byLesma A, Bocciardi A, Corti S, Chiumello G, Rigatti P and Montorsi F (2018) Sexual Function in Adult Life Following Passerini-Glazel Feminizing Genitoplasty in Patients with Congenital Adrenal HyperplasiaJournal of Urology, VOL. 191, NO. 1, (206-211), Online publication date: 1-Jan-2014.Seftel A (2018) Re: Clitoral Size and Location in Relation to Sexual Function Using Pelvic MRIJournal of Urology, VOL. 192, NO. 2, (501-501), Online publication date: 1-Aug-2014. Volume 180Issue 4October 2008Page: 1241-1248 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2008 by American Urological AssociationKeywordsclitorisspinal cordafferentneuronsfemalemiceAcknowledgmentsColored resin was provided by Dr. Robert Henry, University of Tennessee. Susan Strider assisted with illustration and Pedro Aranda Espinosa provided technical support.MetricsAuthor Information Nieves Martin-Alguacil Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, New York Department of Anatomy and Embryology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain More articles by this author Justine M. Schober Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, New York Hamot Medical Center, Erie, Pennsylvania More articles by this author Dale R. Sengelaub Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana More articles by this author Donald W. Pfaff Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, New York More articles by this author Deborah N. Shelley Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, New York More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...