Vesico‐somatic reflexes in the chronic spinal cat

Abstract

1. In cats anaesthetized with chloralose whose spinal cords were transected 6–7 weeks previously, spontaneous contractions of the bladder had no effect on mono‐ or polysynaptic reflexes recorded electrically from the cut lumbar ventral spinal roots. 2. In the same cats contractions of the bladder decreased hind‐limb extensor and flexor reflexes recorded myographically. 3. The effects of (a) pelvic nerve stimulation and distension of the bladder on mono‐ and polysynaptic reflexes and (b) the effects of bladder contractions on hind‐limb reflexes recorded myographically in acute and chronic spinal, decerebrate and anaesthetized cats are discussed. 4. The sites of interaction between vesical and somatic reflexes are discussed and further evidence is presented that bladder contractions affect the γ‐loop. © 1966 The Physiological Society