Forestomach motility in adult sheep when reticular groove closure is provoked by copper sulphate solution.

Forestomach motility in adult sheep when reflex reticular groove closure is provoked by 10 ml of 10% copper sulphate solution was studied electromyographically. Rumen and omasum motility disappeared with the administration of the stimulant, while some muscular activity of the reticulum was always present but was manifested by monophasic, more frequent and weaker contractions than before stimulation; between these contractions very frequent small discharges appeared in the electromyogram from the reticulum. Cyclic activity of the forestomach reappeared 3 to 5 min later and returned gradually to normal. The functional significance of these findings is discussed.