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At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

The timing of defecation within the sleep-wake cycle of humans during temporal isolation.

Data were collected from 14 human subjects who lived singly in an isolation unit without temporal cues. The subjects used buttons to signal the times when they woke up, took a meal, defecated, and retired. Under these conditions, the "free-running" circadian rhythms (e.g., the sleep-wake cycles and the rhythm of body temperature) remained internally synchronized in 7 subjects (mean circadian period = 24.47 hr); in the remaining 7 subjects the sleep-wake cycle lengthened beyond 28 hr, desynchronizing from the rhythm of body temperature (internal desynchronization; mean sleep-wake cycle = 33.45 hr). In all subjects, the interval from wake-up to defecation increased with the duration of wake time (alpha); on average, the interval varied proportionally with alpha. Furthermore, the interval from the last main meal (dinner) to defecation the following day was proportional to the sleep-wake cycle--either that which included dinner but preceded the defecation, or that which followed the dinner but included the defecation. It is concluded that a lengthening of the sleep-wake cycle (and of the wake time) results in a slowing down of the processes of digestion and evacuation of the bowels, in parallel with an apparent reduction of total energy expenditure.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[An experimental study of the diurnal changes in colonic motility centering on defecation].

The following findings have been obtained as a result of making an assessment regarding the diurnal changes in colonic motility by means of continuous measurement of contractile waves by using strain gauge force transducers and roentgenographic observation in conscious dogs. 1. Before defecation, the contractile force of the wave was weak, frequency of its emergence was also small, and transfer of intestinal content was slow, showing decrease of colonic motility. 2. After defecation, the gradually increasing and decreasing contractile wave groups became clear, and the contractile force was intensified concurrently with increase of its emerging frequency. Transfer of intestinal content to the anal side was rapid, and recovery of colonic motility was observed. 3. The recovery of the colonic motility after defecation was observed regardless of digestive or interdigestive state. 4. By intake of food, increase of the colonic motility corresponding to gastrocolic response was observed, but it was due to the increase of emerging frequency of contractile wave, for which no change was observed in contractile force or duration in each individual waves. 5. It was suggested that the contractile motion which undergoes gradual increase and decrease is the basic pattern in the colonic motility and that the colonic motility changes by the differences of amount, shape and hardness of intestinal content, and decreases gradually along with increase of intestinal content, but the basic pattern of contractile motion is restored by inflow of intestinal content into the colon which became empty after defecation. From the above it was considered to be inadequate to use the pattern classification of digestive and interdigestive state for the analysis of colonic motility and that assessments should be made centering on defecation.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Defecation habits of cats and dogs and contamination by Toxocara eggs in public park sandpits.

The defecation habits of cats and dogs in three sandpits in urban public parks were observed by camcorder. Cats were the main cause of fecal contamination of these sandpits. Most (80%) feline defecations occurred at night between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am. Each of the sandpits was used habitually as a defecation site by 4-24 cats, but these cats seemed to defecate elsewhere, as well. Fecal deposits within the sandpits were evenly distributed and did not tend to be concentrated in one area, suggesting that the cats avoided previously deposited feces when choosing a place to defecate. One sandpit was strongly contaminated and two were weakly contaminated with Toxocara eggs. Because sandpits are widely used as play areas for young children, effective sanitation measures should be implemented to prevent the contamination of sandpits by Toxocara eggs.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

Observations on the feeding and defecation patterns of three triatomine species (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

A comparative laboratory study of feeding and defecation behavior of three species of tritomines (Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma infestans and T. dimidiata) indicated evident differences among the species and among the different stages of same species. Time required for a full blood meal was related to the size of the specimen. Insects required an average of 11-28 min for engorgement although some finished within 10 min. T. dimidata frequently interrupted the act of feeding, a probable explanation of the higher number of defecations before finishing a blood meal observed in the species. R. prolixus was superior to the other two species in number of defecating insects and in rapidity and frequency of defecations within a given time. T. dimidiata was inferior in all three parameters and T. infestans was intermediate. Males of all species tended to be less effective. A "defecation index" is proposed for comparing this different behavior in triatomine specimens under standard conditions. Effectivity of the insects according to the measured parameters is discussed in relation to the prevalence of Chagas' disease in those areas where they are principal vectors.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

The effect of feeding on defecation behaviour in pigs.

The effect of eating on defecation behaviour was investigated in four 20-30 kg pigs. Rectal distention stimulation was performed pre- and postprandially at 10 cm from the anus with a 5 cm latex balloon. Volume was increased in steps of 10 ml up to 200 ml of air or until balloon defecation. Dependent measures were volume, rectal pressure, determined with a solid state pressure transducer inside the balloon probe, rectal compliance, and an index of distention induced contractile activity. The volume and pressure required to elicit defecation was significantly lower after feeding (p less than 0.01). Distention induced contractile activity was significantly increased near defecation threshold, but pre- and postprandial conditions were not different. There was no difference in rectal compliance pre- and postprandially. These results suggest that eating lowers defecation threshold in terms of distention volume and rectal pressure, and that these changes are not dependent on altered rectal compliance or changes in distention induced motor activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Voluntary suppression of defecation delays gastric emptying.

We wished to test the hypothesis that colonic loading with fecal material leads to delayed gastric emptying. Twelve healthy male volunteers were studied. Each of these subjects went through two randomized study periods of four days. In one of these, the subjects defecated upon urge, in the other period defecation was voluntarily suppressed. Gastric emptying of a semisolid meal (mashed potatoes) was measured with the noninvasive applied potential tomography technique. On day 3 no significant changes in gastric emptying were found, but on day 4 the emptying rate had decreased from 85.8 +/- 11.0%/hr (mean +/- SEM) to 70.3 +/- 10.9%/hr (P < 0.05) and the T50 had increased from 38.5 +/- 3.4 min to 46.2 +/- 4.0 min (P < 0.025). The duration of the lag phase (4.1 +/- 1.5 min) was not significantly altered by suppression of defecation. Our conclusion is that voluntary suppression of defecation delays gastric emptying in normal subjects. This "cologastric brake" may be involved in the pathogenesis of upper abdominal symptoms in constipated patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Simultaneous defecography and peritoneography in defecation disorders.

UNLABELLED: A number of physiologic and radiologic investigations are used in investigating defecation disorders. Defecography is one important part of these investigations. However, a correct diagnosis of an enterocele is sometimes difficult despite use of contrast media in the rectum, vagina, and small bowel. PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to ascertain if it was technically possible to perform simultaneous defecography and peritoneography in an effort to improve the diagnostic possibilities in patients with defecation disorders. METHODS: Twelve patients with defecation disorders and an unexplained widening of the rectovaginal space at defecography were investigated. Contrast medium was introduced intraperitoneally, after which conventional defecography was performed. RESULTS: All investigations were carried out without complications and demonstrated the peritoneal outline in all patients. Simultaneous defecography and peritoneography differentiated between an enterocele and a pathologically deep pouch of Douglas--a peritoneocele. Three types of peritoneocele were visualized: vaginal peritoneocele, septal peritoneocele, and rectal peritoneocele with or without enterocele. Combinations of the three types were also found. Eight of the 12 patients had rectal intussusception or rectal prolapse. All of these eight patients had a rectal peritoneocele. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous defecography and peritoneography can be performed without technical difficulties or complications. Peritoneal outlines and pouches can, therefore, be studied directly during the act of defecation. An unexplained widening of the rectovaginal space at defecography can be clarified as a peritoneocele, with or without an enterocele. Peritoneocele can be of three different types: rectal, septal, or vaginal.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Dynamic anal manometry in the assessment of patients with obstructed defecation.

Patients with obstructed defecation show no consistent abnormalities when assessed by standard anorectal physiologic methods. With a recently developed technique for dynamic anal manometry, we studied 13 female patients with obstructed defecation and 20 healthy volunteers. Seven parameters of anal function were measured. There were no differences between the median values for the two groups. Seven patients (54 percent; 95 percent confidence limits, 25-81 percent) had anal compliance below the normal range, either during opening or closing of the sphincter at rest (five patients), during squeeze (one patient), or both (one patient). Opening and closing pressures of the sphincter at rest, maximal closing pressure during squeeze, and anal hysteresis were normal. Standard anal manometry did not show any differences between patients and controls. Rectal compliance was lower in patients with obstructed defecation, median difference 5 ml/cm H2O (95 percent confidence limits, 1-9 ml/cm H2O). In conclusion, the more detailed method of dynamic anal manometry shows that some patients with obstructed defecation have a less compliant anal sphincter and a less compliant rectum, but in many patients no abnormal findings can be made.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Manometric patterns of rat colonic motor activity and defecation. Effect of selective 5HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT.

We investigated in conscious and unrestrained rats, the major patterns of colonic pressure waves, as related to defecation. A manometric low compliance perfusion system, which was set at a very low flow rate (0.03 ml/min), permitted simultaneous recordings of intraluminal pressure in the proximal, transverse, and distal colon. Pressure waves in control rats reflected two types of motor activity: short-duration waves (< 15 sec), that were frequent throughout the colon (about 40-90/hr with aborally decreasing frequency), and propulsive, long-duration, high-amplitude waves (> 15 sec, > 15 mm Hg) that occurred only occasionally (1/hr or less) in the transverse and distal, but not in the proximal colon; these waves appeared to migrate aborally and were associated with defecation. The serotonin 5HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT dramatically and dose-dependently increased the frequency of long-duration, high-amplitude waves in the transverse and distal colon, and concurrently promoted defecation; these effects were prevented by the putative 5HT1A antagonist pindolol. We conclude that 5HT1A agonists such as 8-OH-DPAT may promote defecation and occurrence of propulsive waves through the same serotoninergic mechanism.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

PubMed1989

Self washout method for defecational complaints following low anterior rectal resection.

A self washout method was performed by ten patients who had defecational complaints following an anterior resection. A commercially available colostomy washout set was used for this procedure. When the patient sat down, the cone tip of the set was pressed into the anal canal by pushing the cone with the palm of the hand. The volume of water for irrigation used was 500 to 1000 ml and the subsequent defecation time was from 20 to 50 minutes. In all cases, the frequent urge to defecate disappeared and after normal defecational function had been recovered, the self washout was able to be discontinued.

Adult↗

PubMed1975

Effects of neonatal castration and testosterone injection on adult open-field behaviour in rats with atypical sex difference in defecation.

In the open-field test, male rats usually defecate more and ambulate less than females. A strain was studied in which the males defecate less than females, while still ambulating less. Infants of this strain were castrated (males) or injected with testosterone propionate (females) and tested in the open field as adults. There were significant effects of these neonatal treatments on ambulation, but not on defecation, in contrast to previous reports for the latter measure in rats showing a sex difference in defecation taking the usual direction. It is suggested that absence of the usual direction of a sex difference normally under the developmental control of androgen may indicate a genotype which has escaped from such control. Finally, a number of 'sibling' effects' were observed, i.e. effects on the adult behaviour of the members of one sex in a litter produced by treatments administered in infancy to members of the other sex.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Impairment of defecation in young women with severe constipation.

Anorectal manometry, radiology, and tests of simulated defecation were carried out in 14 severely constipated young women and 29 age-matched controls. The resting anal sphincter pressures were reduced in the patients, but the squeeze pressures, rectoanal inhibitory reflex, and rectal pressures upon balloon distention were all normal. At rest, the anorectal angle was more obtuse in the constipated group, but there was no overall increase in perineal descent in constipated patients compared with controls. The presence of a balloon in the rectum and the onset of pain were perceived in constipated patients at volumes that were not significantly different from those in normal volunteers. Constipated patients, however, required higher rectal volumes to induce the desire to defecate and to stimulate regular rectal contractions. Constipated patients also found it more difficult to pass simulated stools from the rectum than the normal controls and, unlike most normal controls, failed to inhibit their external anal sphincter on attempted defecation. These findings suggest that young women with severe constipation have great difficulty initiating the coordinated set of events that constitute a normal defecation response.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1980

alpha-MSH effects on novelty-induced defecation, plasma 11-OHCS and whole brain catecholamines in hypophysectomized rats.

The effect of hypophysectomy on novelty-induced defecation was found to be inhibitory in nature, but this effect was reversed by treatment with alpha-MSH. MSH-treated hypox rats maintained, over days, novelty-induced defecation and showed a significant elevation in plasma 11-OHCS levels, compared with the levels of control-injected counterparts. MSH treatment also reduced over Days 1 to 5 the whole brain DA and whole brain NE levels in hypox animals. Control-treated hypox rats, however, showed an increase in brain NE concentration which was significantly reduced by MSH treatment. Sham-hypox animals also sustained novelty-induced defecation after MSH treatment but did not show a significant rise in plasma 11-OHCS level. Whole brain DA and whole brain NE levels in sham-hypox rats were also reduced significantly by MSH treatment. The behavioral maintenance of defecation in hypox and sham-hypox rats seem to be concomitant with significant reductions in whole brain catecholamines.

11-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗

PubMed1980

Effects of alpha-MSH and melatonin on passive avoidance and on PA-induced defecation and plasma 11-OHCS in hypophysectomized rats.

The present study shows tha alpha-MSH facilitates the acquisition and delays the extinction of a Passive Avoidance Response (PAR) in the hypox animals. MSH exacerbates PA-induced defecation in both hypox and sham-hypox animals. Hypox and sham-hypox animals treated with MSH do not differ on PAR or on PA-induced defecation. Melatonin, on the other hand, has no significant effect on PAR in hypox rats, but retards acquisition and facilitates extinction of the PAR in sham-hypox rats. Melatonin also inhibits PA-induced defecation in sham-hypox rats. Sham-hypox and hypox rats treated with Melatonin do not differ on PAR learning, retention (Extinction) and PA-induced defecation. MSH and Melatonin also seem to have opposite effects on plasma 11-OHCS levels measured at the end of PAR extinction. MSH increases plasma 11-OHCS in hypox rats, whereas Melatonin decreases plasma 11-OHCS in sham-hypox rats. Melatonin does not lower further the very low level of plasma 11-OHCS in hypox rats.

11-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗

PubMed1981

alpha-MSH, MIF-I and melatonin: effects on novelty-induced defecation, plasma 11-OHCS and central catecholamines in rats.

The pituitary-hypothalamo-pineal complex involving MSH, MIF-I and melatonin has been strongly emphasized in the adaptive mechanism of the animal. A series of experiments was conducted to investigate the effects of alpha-MSH, MIF-I and melatonin on novelty-induced defecation, step-down activity, plasma 11-OHCS levels and whole brain DA and NE concentrations over days of novelty X drug treatment. alpha-MSH consistently enhanced and sustained novelty-induced defecation, increased plasma 11-OHCS levels in the resting intact rats and in the novelty exposed hypophysectomized (hypox) rats, and decreased brain DA and NE levels in intact, hypox and sham-hypox rats. MSH did not increase plasma 11-OHCS in intact and sham-hypox rats during exposure to novelty. MIF-I significantly habituated novelty-induced defecation and increased brain DA and NE levels over 5 days of drug X novelty treatment. Melatonin, on the other hand, inhibited novelty-induced defecation, decreased plasma 11-OHCS and increased brain DA level over 5 days of melatonin X novelty treatment. MSH, MIF-I or melatonin did not show any significant effect on the step-down activity of the rats. The results suggest the possibility that central CAs may be implicated in the behavioral changes observed after alpha-MSH, MIF-I and melatonin administration and in the interaction of the pituitary-hypothalamo-pineal complex involving MSH, MIF-I and melatonin.

11-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗

PubMed1995

Obstructed defecation: current status of pathophysiology and management.

Obstructed defecation poses a challenging clinical problem and in many patients presenting with this syndrome the underlying pathophysiology cannot be determined. Up to now, attempts to diagnose and treat obstructed defecation (anismus) have focused on the function of the somatic pelvic floor musculature surrounding the anorectum, and concepts such as 'puborectalis paradox' and 'spastic pelvic floor' have gained widespread acceptance despite there being no objective data to support such concepts. New evidence showing that defecation is an integrated process of colonic and rectal emptying suggests that anismus may be much more complex than a simple disorder of the pelvic floor muscles. In a small number of patients obstructed defecation is caused by a more simple mechanism, such as internal sphincter hypertonia or a large rectocele, which is easily corrected surgically. Careful selection of patients for treatment, based on identifying the underlying pathophysiological disorder, is emphasized.

Anal Canal↗

PubMed1995

Effects of the adenosine A1-receptor antagonist on defecation, small intestinal propulsion and gastric emptying in rats.

We examined the effects of 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX) and (R)-7,8-dihydro-8-ethyl-2-(3-noradamantyl)-4-propyl-1H-imidazo[2,1 -i]purin- 5(4H)-one (KF20274), selective adenosine A1-receptor antagonists, on the gastrointestinal propulsion in rats, as compared with those of the laxative bisacodyl. DPCPX and KF20274 (p.o.) dose-dependently increased the fecal pellet output, whereas these drugs at the dose that increased defecation did not affect small intestinal propulsion or gastric emptying. Bisacodyl increased defecation and slowed gastric emptying without any influence on small intestinal propulsion. Bisacodyl, but not DPCPX or KF20274, induced diarrhea at the dose inducing defecation. The present results suggest that the adenosine A1-receptor antagonist selectively enhances the lower gastrointestinal propulsion, resulting in defecation without diarrhea.

Adamantane↗

PubMed1985

The defecation pattern and diet in patients with an ileum reservoir and anal anastomosis with a long efferent leg.

The dietary habits and defecation patterns of 12 patients were examined 8-34 months after total colectomy with mucosal proctectomy and the construction of an ileal reservoir attached to an anal anastomosis. The reservoir was provided with a long efferent leg (12 cm) through the anal canal. The patients were divided into two groups in accordance with the frequency of defecation--one with fewer than six defecations per 24 h and another with more than six defecations per 24 h. The fecal output, however, was not significantly different in the two groups. The fecal content of sodium and potassium was the same as in feces from conventional ileostomies. The dietary intake was insufficient in energy content, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Dietary supplement was recommended.

Adult↗