High definition mapping of circular and longitudinal motility in the terminal ileum of the brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula with watery and viscous perfusates.

Longitudinal and radial movements during spontaneous contractions of isolated segments of terminal ileum of the brushtail possum, a species of arboreal folivore, were studied using high definition spatiotemporal maps. Segments obtained from specimens were continuously perfused with solutions of various apparent viscosities at 3 cm and 5 cm hydrostatic pressure. A series of sustained tetrodotoxin-sensitive peristaltic events occurred during perfusion. The leading edge of each peristaltic event progressed by a succession of rhythmic surges of circular contraction with concerted concurrent phasic longitudinal contractions. Three types of peristaltic event were observed, with differing durations of occlusion and patterns of cyclic, in phase, circular and longitudinal contractions. Each peristaltic event was preceded by a change of shade on the D map that indicated circumferential dilatation. Differences in the slopes of these phasic shade changes from those occurring during peristalsis indicate that this distension is passive and likely results from aboral displacement of fluid. Tetradotoxin insensitive longitudinal contraction waves of frequency 9.2 min(-1) occurred during and in the absence of peristalsis, originating at a variety of sites, and propagating either in an orad or aborad direction but predominantly in the latter. Perfusion with 1% guar gum, at 5 cm hydrostatic pressure caused the lumen to become distended and the generation of peristaltic events to cease pending reduction of the hydrostatic head to 3 cm but longitudinal contractile activity was preserved. Neither the frequencies nor the rates of progression of circular and longitudinal contractile events, nor the temporal coordination between these events, varied with the apparent viscosity of the perfusate or altered in a manner that could facilitate mixing.