Animals were anesthetized under 1% isofluorane with supplemental oxygen. Spinal cord laminectomy was performed at the 9th to 11th thoracic vertebrate levels (T9 to T11). Transection of the cord was done using a microsurgical knife (Fine Science Tools) by moving the knife tip against the osseous surface of the wall of central canal. Moving the blade in the reverse direction ensured complete transection of the spinal cord at T10. The muscles were closed in layers with 5-0 nonabsorbable sutures. The skin was closed with EZ-clips (Stoelting Co., Wood Dale, IL). During the surgery and postoperative recovery, rats were kept on a heating pad to maintain body temperature and were returned to their cages upon displaying adequate forelimb mobility. Following surgery, rats were given subcutaneous buprinorphine (analgesia, 0.03 mg/kg), sterile saline (supplemental hydration, 6 cc for 3 days), and cefazolin (antibiotic, 50 mg/kg, for 7 days). Manual bladder evacuation was performed twice daily for the first 2 weeks after surgery, when urinary reflex returned for most rats.
