Uterine contractile activity in nonpregnant conscious dogs was investigated based on 2- to 6-mo-long continuous recording by means of a chronically implanted force transducer. We found that nonpregnant uterine contractile activity could be classified into six major patterns: sporadic contractions, weak and strong tonic contractions, weak and strong phasic contractions, and phasic contraction bursts. The contractile patterns during proestrus and estrus were the most active, with strong phasic and tonic contractions and phasic contraction bursts. The phasic and tonic contractions were inhibited dose-dependently by a beta 2 adrenergic agonist, ritodrine, and reproduced by an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist, clonidine. In contrast, the cholinergic inhibitors atropine and hexamethonium did not affect the spontaneous occurrence of these contractions, although bethanechol evoked uterine contractions. Oxytocin and prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced contractions were phasic during estrus, whereas they showed tonic increases with phasic contractions during proestrus, diestrus, and anestrus, and these contractions did not resemble the spontaneous contractions. In conclusion, the nonpregnant uterus contracts continuously in harmony with the estrous cycle phases, and its contractile activity is enhanced by alpha adrenergic receptors and inhibited by beta 2 adrenergic receptors.

Previous studies on the effects of vagotomy on gallbladder (GB) motility have yielded conflicting results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vagotomy on GB motility and bile kinetics using a new method. Twelve dogs were divided into two groups of six (control and pyloroplasty) and, 4 weeks later, underwent truncal vagotomy. A catheter secured in the GB fundus was used to monitor GB volume. After injecting polyethylene glycol (PEG) into the GB, combined measurements of GB volume and PEG concentration enabled GB emptying and bile kinetics to be estimated. Seven and five of the 12 vagotomized dogs were classified as having large and normal fasting GB volumes, respectively. Postprandial GB emptying was impaired when the fasting GB volume was enlarged. In the fasting state, bile kinetics of vagotomized dogs were significantly smaller than the control values. The emptying ability of the GB of vagotomized dogs with large fasting GB volumes was reduced considerably both in the postprandial and the fasting states. Such retention of bile in the GB after vagotomy may facilitate cholesterol crystal nucleation and stone growth.

No abstract