Effects of stimulation of efferent fibres of the vagus on the reticulo-omasal orifice of the sheep.

1. The reticulo-omasal orifice has been observed and its activity recorded in decerebrate and spinal preparations of lambs and in lambs and sheep anaesthetized with chloralose.2. Spontaneous closure movements at about 6/min were seen, or recorded from balloons placed in the orifice in all types of preparation when both vagus nerves had been cut and after atropine, hexamethonium, phentolamine and propranolol had been given I.V.3. The effects on the reticulo-omasal orifice of stimulation in the neck of efferent fibres of the vagus nerves on either side differed according to the form of the stimulus applied.4. Threshold stimulation of the vagus nerve caused closing of the orifice which was blocked by atropine.5. Opening of the orifice and disappearance of spontaneous closing movements followed more intense stimulation of the vagus nerves.6. Vagal opening effects were obtained after atropine was given and after adrenergic opening and closure effects had been blocked with phentolamine and propranolol.