AbstractThe role of the P2Y₆ receptor in bladder function has recently attracted a great deal of attention in lower urinary tract research. We conducted this study to determine contributions of the P2Y₆ receptor in lower urinary tract function of normal phenotypes by comparing P2Y₆-deficient mice and wild-type mice. In in vivo experiments, P2Y₆-deficient mice had more frequent micturition with smaller bladder capacity compared to wild-type mice; however, there was no difference between these groups in bladder-filling pressure/volume relationships during cystometry under decerebrate, unanaesthetized conditions. Analysis of in vivo bladder contraction revealed significant difference between the 2 groups, with P2Y₆-deficient mice presenting markedly shorter bladder contraction duration but no difference in peak contraction pressure. However, analysis of in vitro experiments showed no P2Y₆ involvements in contraction and relaxation of bladder muscle strips and in ATP release by mechanical stimulation of primary-cultured urothelial cells. These results suggest that the P2Y₆ receptor in the central nervous system, dorsal root ganglion, or both is involved in inhibition of bladder afferent signalling or sensitivity in the pontine micturition centre and that the receptor in the detrusor may be implicated in facilitation to sustain bladder contraction force.