Spatiotemporal mapping of the muscular activity of the gizzard of the chicken (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract

We report the results of spatiotemporal mapping of the spontaneous actions of component muscles of the gizzard and associated structures in ex vivo preparations with combined superfusion and vascular perfusion. Ongoing spontaneous contraction of cranial and caudal thin muscles occurred at a frequency of 2.2 ± 0.1 cycles per minute. Contractions of M. tenuis craniodorsalis with mean duration of 2.8 ± 0.2 s commenced ventrally adjacent to the distal limit of the proventriculus and progressed dorsally at 2.02 ± 0.03 mm•s(-1) in a concerted front. Near simultaneous contraction of M. tenuis caudoventralis of mean duration of contraction of 4.7 ± 0.7 s commenced dorsally and progressed ventrally at a similar rate (2.1 ± 0.1 mm•s(-1)) and in a similar manner. Contraction of the caudoventralis preceded that of craniodorsalis (mean 1.1 ± 0.15 s). Contraction of the 2 tenuis muscles was synchronous with the first component peak of the cyclic increase in lumen pressure and with distension of the crassus musculature. Contraction of the M. crassus caudodorsalis muscle coincided with the second component peak and was followed by distension of the tenuis musculature. The latter commenced before the relaxation of the tenuis muscles. Contractions of the crassus muscle propagated rapidly at right angles to the orientation of the muscle fibers at a faster velocity than that of the tenuis musculature. The durations of the component peaks in lumen pressure indicated that the duration of crassus contraction was similar to that of the tenuis musculature.

Biology of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Poultry

“…There are also spontaneous contractions of gizzard. In exo vivo studies, these spontaneous contractions occur with a frequency of ~2 min -1 (Lentle et al, 2013).…”

Physiology of lipid digestion and absorption in poultry: An updated review on the supplementation of exogenous emulsifiers in broiler diets

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Evaluation of effects of ultrasound-assisted saucing on the quality of chicken gizzards

“…Chicken gizzard, also known as muscular stomach, is rich in nutrients, including about 20% protein, 4% carbohydrates and 2.8% fat [1] . In addition, it also contains a variety of trace elements, such as sodium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and so on.…”