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Biomedical subjects

G Wenham

Publications and source records attributed to G Wenham.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

The influence of intestinal infusion of fats on small intestinal motility and digesta transit in pigs.

The influence of duodenal and ileal infusion of nutrients on small intestinal transit of digesta, measured by the passage of phenol red marker, was studied in twelve pigs fitted with duodenal and ileal catheters, and a terminal ileal cannula. Changes in gastrointestinal motility were observed by electromyography and by use of an X-ray image intensifier in four of the pigs fitted additionally with nichrome wire electrodes in the gut wall and in seven pigs fitted only with a gastric catheter. Small intestinal transit time was unaffected by intestinal catheterization per se, or by duodenal or ileal infusion of glucose or peptone. It was reduced by duodenal infusion of fat or of some of the products of fat digestion including oleic acid and a monoglyceride containing unsaturated fatty acids (monoglyceride LS) but was not affected by infusion of glycerol, stearic acid or a monoglyceride containing saturated fatty acids (monoglyceride P). Ileal transit time was greatly reduced by ileal infusion of soya bean oil mixed with bile salts and lipase and by monoglyceride LS but not by soya bean oil alone. Total small intestinal transit time was reduced to a lesser degree by ileal infusion of soya bean oil mixed with bile salts and lipase and by monoglyceride LS and was unaffected by soya bean oil alone. The level of irregular spiking activity of the small intestine was greatly reduced by both duodenal and ileal infusion of fat, but rapidly propagated spike bursts were initiated from the point of infusion (identified radiologically as peristaltic rushes) many of which travelled right through to the ileo-caecal junction. It is concluded that intestinal infusion of fat accelerates small intestinal transit in pigs by induction of peristaltic rushes; that since the ileal transit times were more severely reduced than total small intestinal transit times by ileal infusion of fat the response is probably only seen over those areas of intestine in direct contract with the fat; and that the effect depends upon the presence of fat digestion products, i.e. the fatty acid and the monoglyceride, although probably only those containing unsaturated fatty acids.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Small intestinal motility and transit by electromyography and radiology in the fasted and fed pig.

The pattern of small intestinal digesta transit was studied in six young pigs (20-30 kg) by simultaneous electromyography and radiology. Pigs showed migrating myoelectric complexes (m.m.c.s) in the small intestine both when fasted and after feeding. The m.m.c.s were modified by feeding; quiescence was much reduced in duration and irregular spiking activity (i.s.a.) was prolonged; m.m.c.s were not disrupted and phases of regular spiking activity (r.s.a.) were still seen after feeding. The r.s.a. phase could be recognized on the screen and in spot films from both fasting and fed pigs as a band of intense rhythmic contractions pinching off the intestine and propelling all intestinal contents ahead of it. The r.s.a. moved caudad clearing the small intestine of digesta and leaving an empty quiescent intestine behind it. It was particularly characteristic in the fasted pig where it was usually associated with the progression of a gas bubble. The pattern of m.m.c.s in both fasted and fed animals along with the intermittent nature of stomach emptying, divided digesta into batches which progressed through the small intestine. Each batch--propelled by a m.m.c.--normally took 180-190 min to pass through the small intestine. M.m.c.s had a cycle length of 70-115 min in different parts of the small intestine. Usually two or three m.m.c.s and batches of intestinal contents were present in the small intestine at any one time. 22-33% of the m.m.c.s faded out in the proximal ileum. Batches of digesta propelled by these m.m.c.s had transit times increased by one m.m.c. duration and fused with the subsequent batch. Sometimes new m.m.c.s were generated in the terminal ileum. Two patterns of transport into the large intestine were seen. Usually digesta was transported by peristaltic rushes starting 100-200 cm from the ileo-caecal junction. The rush then continued through 1-1 1/2 turns of the spiral colon; occasionally the terminal ileum emptied by slow peristalsis. In this case there was no colonic rush and digesta went into the caecum.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1985

The influence of a chronic subclinical infection of Trichostrongylus colubriformis on gastrointestinal motility and digesta flow in sheep.

The influence of a chronic subclinical infection of Trichostrongylus colubriformis, 2500 larvae/day for 12 weeks, on gastrointestinal motility and digesta flow was studied in 12 sheep supplied ad libitum with food and water. Motility was recorded by X-radiography and electromyography from chronically implanted electrodes; abomasal volume and outflow were estimated by dilution of CrEDTA; small intestinal transit time was estimated by passage of Phenol Red. The findings were compared with measurements made prior to infection at restricted food intake and reported separately. The first effects of infection were seen after 3-4 weeks. No animal developed diarrhoea, but food intake was progressively reduced. Small intestinal transit time, abomasal volume and half-time of marker dilution increased while abomasal outflow decreased during infection. These changes occurred both in absolute terms and when compared with values predicted from the observed level of food intake. As the animals became resistant to the parasites abomasal volume and digesta flow returned towards control values (weeks 10-12). The migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) was disrupted in only one sheep, and only transiently. In all sheep the frequency of the MMC was increased during infection and there was a progressive inhibition of abomasal, duodenal and jejunal motility. X-radiography showed there was prolonged pooling of digesta in the proximal small intestine which was cleared only at the phase of regular spiking activity. Two sheep given an anthelmintic drench recovered normal motility and clearance of digesta. It is concluded that subclinical infection of sheep with T. colubriformis alters the normal pattern of gastrointestinal motility in the absence of any diarrhoea, and causes inhibition of abomasal and proximal small intestinal motility and digesta flow. The increased frequency of MMCs helps to maintain digesta flow through the proximal small intestine.

Abomasum↗
PubMed1984

Initiation of migrating myoelectric complex in sheep by duodenal acidification and hyperosmolarity: role of vagus nerves.

Gastrointestinal motility was studied in conscious sheep by X-radiography and by electromyography from chronically implanted electrodes before and after total thoracic vagotomy. Duodenal infusion of 0.5-3 mmol HCl (0.035-0.1 M-HCl) induced premature duodenal regular spiking activity (r.s.a.) within 1-7 min in fifteen of seventeen sheep studied when infused at 20 min after a natural r.s.a. There was no correlation between abomasal pH and any phase of the migrating myoelectric complex (m.m.c.). Duodenal alkalinization by infusion of 0.3 M-Tris buffer (pH 10.2) or 0.1 M-NaHCO3 had no influence on the occurrence of the m.m.c. Duodenal infusion of 20-50 ml 0.5 M-NaCl induced a premature duodenal r.s.a. within 1-5 min in seven of eight sheep. Vagotomy did not prevent the initiation or migration of the m.m.c., but reduced the rate of propagation of the r.s.a. from 40.5 +/- 7.2 (mean +/- S.E. of mean) to 16.7 +/- 0.1 cm/min in the duodenum, from 27.3 +/- 4.1 to 16.6 +/- 0.8 cm/min in the jejunum, and from 21.4 +/- 1.1 to 13.7 +/- 0.7 cm/min in the proximal ileum. Initially the frequency of r.s.a. increased, especially in the duodenum where they recurred at an interval of 98.4 +/- 6.8 min before vagotomy; and at 23.4 +/- 1.8 min in the first 24 h after vagotomy; the interval had lengthened to 86.7 +/- 5.2 min 2-3 weeks after vagotomy. Premature duodenal r.s.a. was not induced by duodenal infusion of HCl in five, or by duodenal infusion of hyperosmolar NaCl in three chronically vagotomized sheep. It is concluded that the vagus nerves contribute to the regulation of the frequency and propagation of the m.m.c. in sheep; duodenal acidification is not essential nor is it the normal stimulus for initiation of r.s.a., but duodenal infusion of HCl or hyperosmolar NaCl can initiate a premature duodenal r.s.a. via the vagus nerves.

Abomasum↗
PubMed1984

Influence of winter feed restriction and summer compensation on skeletal development in red deer stags (Cervus elaphus).

The influence of two planes of nutrition (unrestricted and 70 per cent restricted during the winter) on skeletal development as illustrated by the metacarpus was studied in 12 red deer stag calves. At approximately three-monthly intervals from January 1978 when the stags were seven months old, until August 1979 when the stags were 26 months old, radiographs of the right metacarpus were taken. From the resultant radiographs, diaphyseal length, diaphyseal breadth, breadth of mineralised bone, cortical bone index and area of mineralised bone were measured. Growth in length was complete by August 1978. There were no differences in length between the unrestricted and restricted stags at that time. Differences in breadth, area and cortical bone index were maintained throughout the study although differences in area of mineralised bone were the only measure significantly different throughout the study. It is considered that the major influence of plane of nutrition on this index of skeletal development in deer is on breadth and thickness of cortical bone, resulting in a weaker bone of the same length in the winter restricted stags.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Biochemical and pathological changes in tissues of Friesian cattle during the experimental induction of copper deficiency.

1. Copper deficiency was induced in five Friesian cattle offered a semi-synthetic diet containing less than 1 mgCu/kg. Changes in blood and liver Cu contents and in the Cu-containing enzymes, ferroxidase I (caeruloplasmin; EC 1.16.3.1) and monoamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.4) of plasma and cytochrome oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1) of liver and skeletal muscle were monitored during Cu depletion. 2. Rapid decreases in blood and liver Cu and plasma ferroxidase I activity were found at least 80 d before the first appearance of overt clinical signs of deficiency. Plasma monoamine oxidase and liver cytochrome oxidase activities decreased less rapidly and thus may provide useful indices of chronic Cu depletion.

Animals↗