Studies of methods for in situ observation of gastric motility in domestic turkeys.

The normal gastroduodenal contraction cycle of turkeys is believed to be controlled and coordinated by the myenteric plexus which lies just under the serosa of the muscular stomach. Methods which would permit direct application of chemical and physical stimuli to these gastric nerves were studied in intact and decerebrate turkeys using both radiographic and direct observations to monitor contraction cycles. In intact turkeys, general anesthetics (sodium pentobarbital, halothane; and ketamine hydrochloride) inhibited gastric motility. A local anesthetic (lidocaine hydrochloride) injected into the skin and abdominal muscles caused a depression of motility. In both intact and chronically decerebrate turkeys laparatomy (after local anesthetic in intact birds) and a neuromuscular blocking agent (gallamine triethiodide) also depressed gastric motility. Motility was slightly reduced by artificial respiration and exposure of the serosal surface of the stomach and intestines to air via an abdominal fistula.