Rate of flow of digesta and electrical activity of the small intestine in dogs and sheep.

Abstract

SUMMARY1. Spiking activity of the small intestine in the conscious dog and sheep was recorded continuously from electrodes chronically implanted on the jejunum and summed at intervals of 20 sec. The activity was related to the transit time and flow rate of intestinal contents as estimated by phenol red and by dilution of continuous marker infusions respectively. Also in some sheep the flow of digesta was measured directly from a cannula in the proximal part of the jejunum, and also by use of an electromagnetic flow meter.2. In the fasted dog and in sheep on a normal diet the intestinal activity was characterized by a migrating myo-electric complex comprising an irregular phase followed by a regular phase. These migrating myoelectric complexes occurred regularly after a period of inactivity at a frequency of 15-20/24 hr. In dogs after feeding, a continuous spiking activity appeared and persisted for periods of 7-8 hr. This was associated with much higher rates of flow and shorter transit times than were observed during fasting. In sheep, continuous spiking activity could be induced by intravenous injection of 5-hydroxytryptophan and this, similarly, was accompanied by a more rapid flow and a shorter transit time than recorded during the control period.3. In both species the longest transit time occurred when a phenol red bolus was injected during the period of electrical inactivity. Relatively short transit times were observed when the bolus was administered just before the period of regular spiking activity.4. When relaxation of the bowel was induced by intraperitoneal injection of hypertonic saline there was no spiking activity and the transit time for the infused solution was greatly lengthened, especially in the sheep. A noticeable flow of digestive contents persisted in the dog.5. In the sheep the intestinal contents flowed intermittently during 70 L. BUENO, J. FIORAMONTI AND Y. RUCKEBUSCH periods of 10-15 min and at the same frequency as the migrating myo-electric complex. Two thirds of this flow took place in the 4-6 min immediately preceding the periods of irregular spiking activity. 6. It is concluded that in the fasted dog and in the sheep the migrating myo-electric complex controls the pressure gradients on which the flow of intestinal contents depends. This is accomplished in the main by the prolonged phase of irregular spiking activity, and it is suggested that the regular spiking activity which follows it, though not in itself propulsive, serves as a barrier to prevent backflow of digesta into the quiescent part of the intestine. When continuous spiking activity is induced, by feeding in the dog and by injection of 5-hydroxytryptophan in the sheep, no part of the intestine is quiescent and the transit time is shortened by the incessant irregular spiking activity.

The ‘minute rhythm’ incidence in the ovine abomasal antrum and small intestine

“…The MMC was defined as the regularly recurring pattern containing three or four phases (Bueno et al, 1975;Code & Marlett, 1975). Phase 1 represents the relative lack of the spike bursts, phase 2 arrives as increased irregular spike burst intensity, phase 3 represents the cohort of the maximal spike bursts, terminal phase 4 is of decreasing intensity irregular spike burst period.…”

“…the migrating motility complex (MMC). The MMC cycle also occurs in several species including sheep and represents the periodical event composed of 3-4 phases (Szurszewski, 1969;Bueno et al, 1975;Code & Marlett, 1975). Phase 1 of the MMC contains no or almost no spiking and contractile activity.…”

Neurohormonal control of intestinal transit

“…Using an electromagnetic flowmeter to measure digesta flow continuously and electromyography to record intestinal motility, it has been observed in sheep that the majority of intestinal contents flowed intermittently for periods of 10-15 min at the same frequency as the MMC (fig 1 Two-thirds of this flow occurred in the 4-6 min immediately preceding the periods of phase 3 migration (Bueno et al, 1975 (Bueno et al, 1981). ).…”

“…The duration of phase 3 activity is relatively constant, but that of other phases varies from cycle to cycle, depending on the flow of digesta . Depending on the animal species, the MMC cycle length varies between 60 and 120 min (Bueno and Ruckebusch, 1978) (Bueno et al, 1975;Code and Marlett, 1975 (Fioramonti, 1981). ).…”

Constituants alimentaires et motricité digestive

“…Au-delà de la jonction iléo-caecale, le segment caecum-côlon fonctionne comme un réservoir facilitant la déshydratation du contenu digestif résiduel et sa transformation en fèces. Le ) puis chez le chien et le mouton (Bueno, Fioramonti et Ruckebusch, 1975) (Ruckebusch et Fioramonti, 1980a). A l'instar de l'intestin grêle, la réponse motrice du côlon pourra donc concerner la durée d'activité et la nature localisée ou propagée de cette activité.…”