Differential Expression of Bladder Neurotrophic Factor mRNA in Male and Female Rats After Bladder Outflow Obstruction

Abstract

This male rat model of bladder outlet obstruction was created by placing lumen reducing ligatures at the urethrovesical junction. The dramatic increase in bladder brain derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression and differential expression of nerve growth factor mRNA in male and female rats with bladder outlet obstruction suggest that additional neurotrophic factors may contribute to the lower urinary tract neuroplasticity associated with bladder outlet obstruction and this contribution may be gender dependent.