Mechanism for the inhibition of contractile activity of the gastric antrum and pylorus in rabbits during psychogenic stress.

Psychogenic stress in rabbits (fixation to a frame) was accompanied by the inhibition of contractile activity of the gastric antrum and pylorus. These changes persisted during blockade of muscarinic receptors, nicotinic receptors, alpha(2)-adrenoceptors, and beta(1)/beta(2) adrenoceptors. A stress-induced decrease in gastric motor activity was mediated by the nonadrenergic noncholinergic mechanism. It resulted from the influence of a hormonal stress factor on the stomach, which was probably realized through nonadrenergic inhibitory neurons of the enteric nervous system.