Young rats exhibit an age- and sex-dependent bladder response to alpha-antagonists but not beta-agonists

In the neonatal rat, both α- and β-adrenergic receptors actively regulate bladder function by 3 weeks of life, but the desired effect of decreasing IVP by α-antagonists was delayed until 9 weeks in male rats. In contrast, β-agonists were effective at decreasing IVP in both male and female rats of all ages, which suggests that they are better agents for enhancing bladder emptying in female and young male rats.270Figure. Voiding pressure response to alpha- and beta-adrenergic agents.