SUMMARY1. The effects of motilin infusions on periodic myoelectric spike activity were studied in conscious dogs with an intact small intestine and in dogs with established jejunal Thiry-Vella loops (T-V loops). Myoelectric activity was recorded from chronically implanted electrodes on the intact intestine, the anastomosed intestine and on the jejunal T-V loop.2. During fasting, migrating myoelectric complexes (m.m.c.s) were present in the intact and anastomosed intestine and in the T-V loop; in the latter, intervals between m.m.c.s were significantly shorter (P < 0-05). Infusion of motilin induced premature m.m.c.s in the intact and anastomosed intestine, reducing the interval between successive m.m.c.s (P < 005). In contrast, in the T-V loop, motilin significantly reduced the number of m.m.c.s (P < 0-01) and the interval between two m.m.c.s was prolonged.3. After an infusion ofmotilin, the number ofm.m.c.s in the intact and anastomosed intestine was significantly reduced (P < 0-01), with a corresponding increase in the intervals between m.m.c.s; no further changes were observed in the T-V loop.4. These results demonstrate that m.m.c.s are induced by motilin in the proximal gut, suggesting a humoral mechanism for m.m.c. initiation in this region. In contrast, the genesis of m.m.c.s in jejunal T-V loops is delayed by motilin.
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