The effect of prostaglandin E₁ on motility of the equine gut

Abstract

Prostaglandin E1 was infused intravenously (25, 50 and 75 ng/kg/min) in three ponies. Changes in gastrointestinal mechanical and electrical activity were recorded from chronically implanted strain-gauge force transducers and electrodes. Dose-dependent responses were obtained: there were significant decreases in electrical spiking activity in the stomach, left large colon and small colon, with a corresponding decrease of activity in the left dorsal colon mechanogram. The small intestine was also affected, showing a decrease in both contraction rate and amplitude, which was more marked in the proximal jejunum than in the ileum. There was an association between these changes in gastrointestinal activity and the presence of discomfort and diminished gut sounds.

The Application of Electrocecography for Evaluation of Cecum Motility in Horses.

“…The Force Transducer method [19] is a laparotomic approach designed to quantitatively measure and record the contraction frequency, strength and tension in conscious subjects using a Force Transducer chronically attached to the serous membrane of the alimentary tract. It is not feasible, however, to apply this method in clinical practice for race horses.…”

“…The analysis of equine digestive motility provides useful data for diagnosing and monitoring theraphy of these cases. Equine digestive motility has been studied employing electromyograms [16, 20, 24-26, 30, 31] and strain gauge force transducers (Force Transducers) [19] in ponies. Both these methods, however, require surgery.…”

The Effect of Motilin on the Regulation Mechanism of Intestinal Motility in Conscious Horses.

“…The analysis of equine digestive motility provides useful data for diagnosing and monitoring therapy of these cases. Although there have been a number of reports regarding intestinal motility in ponies and foals [9,[12][13][14]17], there have been few studies focusing on adult horses [6]. In monogastric animals such as humans and dogs, it has been reported that motilin, a digestive hormone, plays some roles in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility [7,19,20].…”

“…employed by Hunrt [6]. That is, the abdomen was opened by median section to expose the cecum, and one Force Transducer unit was fixed on the serous membrane of the bottom of the cecum with a 4-0 nylon suture to detect the contractions of the annular muscle.…”

“…The Force Transducer Method [6] is intended to keep quantitative and chronic recording of contractions of the digestive tract in conscious horses in an unrestrained state using a force transducer attached by laparotomy to the serous surface of the digestive tract. This method provides high resolution compared with electromyography [9,10,13,14,16], enabling the tension, amplitude, and frequency of contractions of the smooth muscles in the digestive tract to be measured.…”