Conduction velocity of peristaltic waves in the in vivo ureter: application of a new diameter gauge.

The conduction velocity of peristaltic movements of the canine ureter was measured under anaesthesia with a new type of diameter gauge using an image sensor. The peristaltic velocity was 34.1 +/- 6.2 mm/sec in 10 experiments. Noradrenaline at a low dosage of 1 microgram/kg i.v. reduced the resting diameter, increased the conduction velocity to 47--56 mm/sec, and approximately doubled the frequency of contraction. The application of acetylcholine also caused an increase in both frequency and conduction velocity (42--46 mm/sec). A plot of the conduction velocity against the mean period of peristaltic contraction was hyperbolic in shape.