No abstract

The effect of an intravenous bolus injection of endotoxin, 0.1, 1 or 10 micrograms/kg, on rectal temperature, clinical appearance, haematological parameters, and on gastrointestinal electrical activity was examined in 11 conscious piglets of 4-5 weeks of age, with implanted electrodes in the antrum pylori, duodenum, jejunum and ileum. All doses resulted in a significant and dose-dependent increase in rectal temperature, in pronounced clinical signs and in distinct changes in haematological values. These included shivering, depression, respiratory distress, a leukopenia (0.1 micrograms/kg) or a leukocytosis (1 microgram/kg) with a shift to the left, an accelerated sedimentation rate and a decreased packed cell volume. Doses of 1 and 10 micrograms/kg induced a transient inhibition of gastroduodenal electrical activity. These results suggest that, in the piglet, endotoxin primarily manifests general clinical signs and that the gastrointestinal effects coincide with these.

No abstract

Summary In conscious piglets with electrodes implanted in the wall of the antrum pylori, duodenum, jejunum and ileum, the influence of intravenous infusion of serotonin (5‐HT), 4 μg/kg/min for 2 hours, on gastrointestinal electrical activity and arterial pressure was examined. 5‐HT was without significant influence on antral electrical activity and arterial pressure. In the small intestinal parts 5‐HT provoked a shortening of the interval of the migrating myoelectrical complex (MMC) by reducing the duration of phase I and phase II activities, and an increase in propagation velocity. 5‐HT also induced an increase in phase III activity. A possible involvement of 5‐HT in the initiation and propagation of the MMC is suggested.

No abstract