Effects of cholecystokinin and gastrin on gastroduodenal motility and coordination in chickens.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) has not been isolated from chicken gut yet and there has been no study on the effects of chicken gastrin (CG), the only gastrin/CCK peptide isolated from avian gut, on gastrointestinal motility. The main objective was to study the effects of CCK and CG on gastroduodenal motility and coordination in chickens. Electrodes for electromyography were implanted in the stomach and proximal and distal duodenum of 4 wk old chickens. Sulphated CCK-octapeptide (CCK8) (10(-10) to 10(-8) moles/kg), CCK-tetrapeptide (CCK4) (2 x 10(-10) to 2 x 10(-8) moles/kg) and CG (3 x 10(-10) to 10(-8) moles/kg) were given in a 10 min i.v. infusion. All these peptides induced a dose-dependent inhibition of gastric motility. CCK8 induced a duodenal hyperactivity whereas CCK4 and CG induced a duodenal inhibition. Neither the CCK-A receptor antagonist L364,718 nor the CCK-B receptor antagonist L365,260 (10(-9)-10(-7) moles/kg) antagonized CCK8 actions. From these results we suggest that the receptors mediating CCK effects are different from those of mammals. The site of action for these peptides is the same in the stomach whereas in the duodenum there are two different ones, one mediating excitation and the other inhibition. These results suggest a physiological role for CCK regulating gastroduodenal motility in birds.