The effect of duodenal infusion on the electromyogram of gastric muscle during activation and inhibition of gastric emptying.

1. When the abomasum of the conscious calf is partially distended, rhythmic motility can readily be recorded from the e.m.g. of the smooth muscle of the fundus (body) and antrum. 2. In gastric evacuation rhythmic contractions of the antrum are reinforced by both rhythmic and tonic fundic contractions. 3. The output volume of the stomach can be directly correlated with e.m.g. activity. 4. Intragastric fluid is usually emptied in gushes coinciding with a strong contraction of the antrum but fluid may be evacuated, when the antrum is inactive, through the force generated by persisting rhythmic fundic contractions. 5. Using re-entrant cannulae so that the duodenum can be infused separately from the gastric effluent, isotonic sodium bicarbonate produced almost 100% gastric evacuation with greatly enhanced e.m.g. activity of fundus and antrum. Infusion of the duodenum with a solution of HCl, 60 m-equiv/l., produced the opposite effect, the gastric muscle becoming quiescent and 100% of the gastric test meal being retained. 6. These results show that the activating or inhibitory effects of a duodenal infusate are produced through an activating or inhibitory effect on the smooth muscle of the stomach. 7. The mechanism of the interrelation between duodenal receptor and gastric effector has not yet been elucidated but the connexion is not intramural since it continues when the duodenum is transected near to the pylorus.