Electromyographic study of the anterolateral abdominal wall muscles during ejaculation.
INTRODUCTION: The anterolateral abdominal wall muscles (AAWMs) are composed of the external and internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and the rectus abdominis muscles. AIM: We investigated the hypothesis that the AAWMs contract reflexly during ejaculation. METHODS: Effect of coitus on AAWMs was tested in 16 healthy men (mean age 37.2 +/- 9.7 years). The intra-abdominal pressure was measured by a manometric catheter introduced into the rectum. The response of the AAWMs to erection and ejaculation was recorded before and after penile and AAWMs' anesthetization by a needle electrode inserted into each of the muscles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Electromyographic (EMG) activity of AAWMs and rectal pressure increased at ejaculation. RESULTS: A few seconds before and during ejaculation, the rectal pressure and motor unit action potentials (EMG activity) of each of the AAWMs increased; this effect was abolished by anesthetization of the penis and AAWMs. CONCLUSION: Increased AAWMs' EMG denotes contraction of the said muscles. AAWMs' contraction at ejaculation, the resulting increase of the intra-abdominal pressure, and the presumably increased pelvic venous congestion seem to augment the penile venous congestion and rigidity. This effect is suggested to be mediated through a reflex which we call "ejaculation-abdominal wall reflex."[1]References
- Electromyographic study of the anterolateral abdominal wall muscles during ejaculation. Shafik, A., Shafik, I.A., El Sibai, O., Shafik, A.A. J. Sex. Med (2007) [Pubmed]
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