Neural pathways to lower urinary tract identified by retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase.

A new technique for tracing nerve fibers supplying specific organs by retrograde axonal transport of the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used to determine the innervation of various segments of the lower urinary tract. HRP was injected at the level of the bladder neck, postprostatic urethral segment, pelvic nerve, pudendal nerve, and pelvic floor musculature to determine precise nerve supply to each site, as well as possible overlap. The technique determines the exact spinal level of innervation, as well as the number of nuclei directly related to the motor neuron axons supplying innervation to each particular site. Representation of these nuclei at various levels of the spinal cord was shown in various serial sections obtained after the injection of HRP. This technique is accurate and precise; it is valuable in establishing exact neural anatomic connections between the central nervous system and target organs.