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Role of nitrergic nerves in the regulation of motility of the omasum and abomasum in healthy sheep (Ovis aries)

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Abstract

We examined the physiological role of nitrergic nerves in the regulation of omasal and abomasal motility in conscious healthy sheep and omasal muscle specimens. Nitric oxide (NO)-donor, S-nitroso-acethyl-dl-penicillamine (SNAP, 3–30 nmol/kg per min, i.v.) significantly inhibited omasal electromyographic (EMG) activity, whereas it did not alter EMG activity in the abomasal antrum. However, NO synthase inhibitor, Nω-nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester (l-NAME, 0.3–3.0 μmol/kg per min, i.v.) did not alter EMG activity of the omasum and abomasum. In the in vitro experiments, SNAP application (6–200 μmol/l) significantly inhibited bethanechol (10 μmol/l)-induced contraction of longitudinal and circular muscles of the omasum. l-NAME application (0.03–3.0 mmol/l) enhanced electric field stimulation-induced contractions of the circular muscles. The results suggest that the omasal muscles are responsive to exogenous NO and that nitrergic nerves innervate the circular muscle layer of the omasum, however, nitrergic nerves are not or scarcely involved the physiological regulation of omasal and possibly abomasal motility in healthy sheep.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mr. T. Oh-ishi, Mr. T. Shimoda, and Dr. H. Hayashi for their technical assistance.

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  1. Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyodai-Midorimachi, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069–8501, Japan

    Takenori Onaga, Noriko Hara & Yasuhito Shimizu

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  1. Takenori Onaga
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  2. Noriko Hara
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  3. Yasuhito Shimizu
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Correspondence to Takenori Onaga.

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Onaga, T., Hara, N. & Shimizu, Y. Role of nitrergic nerves in the regulation of motility of the omasum and abomasum in healthy sheep (Ovis aries) . Vet Res Commun 33, 33–48 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-008-9069-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-008-9069-3

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