Twenty four Wistar male rats were assigned into 4 groups and each included the same number of rats (n=6): 1.Control group (C): had no intervention, 2. Oxytocin group (OXY): recieved 5μg /kg oxytocin sc. for 5 days. 3. Chronic stress group (WAS): rats underwent 2 hours daily WAS for 5 days. 4. Chronic stress+Oxytocin group (WAS+OXY): recieved subcutaneous (sc) 5μg /kg oxytocin during chronic stress. Urinary bladder tissues were examined under light and electron microscopy. Oxidative stress was evaluated by malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Moreover, systemic stress was measured with serum cortisol levels.

In light microscopic analysis of WAS group, desquamation of urothelium, edema in connective tissue, increased number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and vascular congestion were detected while a prominent healing was observed in WAS+OT group. In electron microscopy, although there were degenerated urothelium, irregularity in glycosaminoglycon layer and a prominent dilatation in intercellular tight junctions in the WAS group, reversal of the injury was detected in the WAS+OT group. Serum levels of cortisole and tissue levels of MDA and GSH were found to be well correlated with the morphological findings.

Our study revealed that WAS induced interstitial cystitis in male rats causes similar morphologic and biochemical alterations in female rats. Additionally, oxytocin exerts a protective effect against this injury. Keywords : water avoidance stress, oxytocin, male rat, urinary bladder, histochemistry