Adaptation of interoceptors

Summary

Experiments were conducted on decerebrated cats with the aid of oscillographic methods. Disappearance of impulsation in the pelvic nerve served as criterion of adaptation of the receptors when the latter were stimulated by filling the urinary bladder with physiological saline solution. After evacuation of the fluid from the urinary bladder, the receptors lose their adaptation immediately and begin to respond to the new stimulus. The less the time given to the adapted receptors “to rest” the sooner their adaptation in repeated stimulation. The initial rate of adaptation is restored in 18–20 minutes.

Rapid restoration of the ability to respond by impulsation to repeated stimulation cannot serve as the only criterion of complete restoration of the physiological functions of the receptors. When assessing the restoration rate of the physiological function of the receptors one should take account of the time after which the initial rate of adaptation is restored.