Supplementary Figure 9: Simplified summary of a nose-to-sphincter circuit and other potential Bar functions.

a, Bar^ESR1 (green) and Bar^CRH (magenta) neurons are intermingled (cell overlay from Fig. 1d), and the minority Bar^ESR1 population projects to both the mediolateral column (ML) and heavier to the dorsal grey commissure (DGC), which directly inhibits sphincter motoneurons in the dorsolateral nucleus (DL). Activation of Bar^ESR1 neurons increases bladder pressure and simultaneously inhibits the sphincter via bursting, thus driving efficient urine excretion, whereas activation of Bar^CRH neurons produces a focal increase in bladder pressure and either no effect at the sphincter or a tonic excitation resembling the guarding reflex. Thoracolumbar projections of Bar^ESR1 neurons are not shown, as well as afferent feedback connections from bladder and urethra. b, Many factors influence a variety of pelvic functions, and heterogeneity in Bar may allow differential coordination of both somatic and autonomic targets for various behaviors.