Telemetric small intestinal motility recording in awake rats: a novel approach.

INTRODUCTION

Ideally, gastrointestinal motility recording should be done in freely moving, stress-free animals. However, no such method is currently available for rats.

METHODS

Two NiCr electrodes were sutured to the jejunum and connected to an implantable electromyographic (EMG) transmitter in rats. EMG signals were radio-transmitted to a receiver placed at the bottom of the rats' home cages.

RESULTS

Fasting and postprandial jejunal EMG signals could be detected by telemetry. Phase III contractions of the MMC were easy to identify visually and occurred at a rate of about 4.8 per hour. Feeding disrupted the phasic contraction pattern 15 min after the start of food intake and lasted for 2 h. The motility index (MI, area under the curve) was calculated and increased postprandially.

CONCLUSION

Telemetric transmission of rat gastrointestinal EMG signals is feasible and results are comparable to those given in the literature.