The effects of transections on the basic electrical rhythm in the canine jejunum

The basic electrical rhythm (BER) was studied in situ in the jejunum in 14 anaesthetized mongrel dogs by the mean six monopolar electrodes. The BER frequency was measured in the intact intestine and after proximal and distal transections of the gut 5 cm apart from the electrodes. No significant differences were found between the BER frequencies recorded by each electrode, demonstrating the existence of a frequency plateau which remained after each transection. In the intact intestine the frequency in the plateau was 13.2 +/- 0.3 cpm2. After the proximal transection, this frequency dropped to 12.0 +/- 0.4 cpm (p less than 0.05) and, after the distal transection, it dropped to 10.9 +/- 0.4 cpm (p less than 0.005). This last frequency change shows the influence of the distal intestine on the electrical behaviour of the jejunum.