Differential damage and repair responses of pubococcygeus and bulbospongiosus muscles in multiparous rabbits

Aim To determine the extent of damage and regeneration associated with multiparity on the pubococcygeus and bulbospongiosus muscles. Methods Age‐matched virgin nulliparous and multiparous rabbits that were killed at days 3 and 20 after the fourth delivery were used to harvest pubococcygeus and bulbospongiosus muscles. The activity of the lysosomal enzyme β‐glucuronidase was used as a muscle damage indicator. The number of immunoreactive myofiber‐associated nuclei anti‐Pax7, ‐MyoD, and ‐myogenin, as well as the anti‐desmin immunoreactive area were measured in muscle sections to estimate some regenerative stages. Significant differences were considered at a P ≤ 0.05. Results The β‐glucuronidase activity was increased at postpartum day 20 in the pubococcygeus muscle. This variable was unaltered in the bulbospongiosus muscles of multiparas regardless of the postpartum day on which this was measured. The number of immunoreactive nuclei anti‐Pax7 in the pubococcygeus muscle was similar between nulliparas and multiparas, whilst those of anti‐MyoD and anti‐myogenin were increased at postpartum days 3 and 20. The same was true for these latter three markers evaluated in the bulbospongiosus muscles, supporting an ongoing regeneration. The desmin‐positive percentage of muscle area per field was increased at postpartum day 20 in the pubococcygeus muscle, whilst such an increment was seen at postpartum days 3 and 20 in the bulbospongiosus muscles. Conclusions Damage and regeneration of the pubococcygeus and bulbospongiosus muscles are differently influenced by multiparity in rabbits. This could rely on the anatomical location, metabolism, myofiber composition, and muscle exertion during pregnancy and/or the delivery of each muscle. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:180–185, 2016. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.