Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Fabrication and Implantation of Miniature Dual-element Strain Gages for Measuring In Vivo Gastrointestinal Contractions in Rodents.
09:29

Fabrication and Implantation of Miniature Dual-element Strain Gages for Measuring In Vivo Gastrointestinal Contractions in Rodents.

Published on: September 18, 2014

Developmental differences in neurohumoral modulation of the cat lower esophageal sphincter

C Hillemeier1, P Biancani

  • 1C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109.

Pediatric Research
|July 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Infant cats show developmental differences in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) neurohumoral modulation compared to adults. These findings suggest varying gastroesophageal function may influence infant abnormalities.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Neuropharmacology

Background:

  • Infant gastroesophageal function may differ from adults, potentially leading to abnormalities.
  • Understanding neurohumoral modulation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is crucial for infant health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate developmental differences in the neurohumoral modulation of LES function in cats.
  • To compare the sensitivity of adult and kitten LES to various neurochemicals and electrical stimulation.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro studies were conducted on feline esophageal tissue.
  • Experiments involved assessing responses to muscarinic agonists, electrical stimulation, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP).

Main Results:

  • Adult cat LES smooth muscle and inhibitory neurons exhibited greater sensitivity to muscarinic agonists than kittens.
  • Adult LES circular smooth muscle showed enhanced responsiveness to neurally mediated relaxation via electrical stimulation.
  • No significant age-related differences were observed in the response to exogenous vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Conclusions:

  • Significant developmental variations exist in the neurohumoral control of the feline LES.
  • These age-dependent differences in LES modulation may contribute to understanding infant gastroesophageal disorders.

More Related Videos

Bladder Smooth Muscle Strip Contractility as a Method to Evaluate Lower Urinary Tract Pharmacology10:26

Bladder Smooth Muscle Strip Contractility as a Method to Evaluate Lower Urinary Tract Pharmacology

Published on: August 18, 2014

Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice07:41

Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice

Published on: February 3, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Neural Regulation01:37

Neural Regulation

Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
Hormonal Regulation01:40

Hormonal Regulation

Hormones regulate a significant portion of digestion through activation of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system of digestion contains many different hormones all with multiple functions that are both, directly and indirectly, involved in digestion.
Esophagus01:24

Esophagus

The esophagus, a muscular conduit linking the pharynx and stomach, measures roughly 10 inches (25.4 cm) and sits behind the trachea. It remains collapsed when not swallowing. The esophagus follows a predominantly straight path through the thoracic mediastinum and enters the abdominal cavity through a diaphragmatic opening known as the esophageal hiatus.
The movement of edibles from the pharynx into the esophagus is facilitated by the upper esophageal sphincter, which is formed primarily by the...
Esophageal Achalasia01:27

Esophageal Achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease01:25

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the backward flow of stomach contents (acid, pepsin, or bile) into the esophagus, causing mucosal inflammation known as esophagitis. It results from failure of antireflux mechanisms, mainly the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), influenced by mechanical and physiological factors.Etiology and Risk FactorsGERD develops when LES function is weakened or when intra-abdominal pressure increases. Risk factors include aging, obesity, and sliding hiatal hernia,...
Hiatal Hernia01:25

Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia is the abnormal protrusion of the stomach or other abdominal organs through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity.Normally, the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) lies below the diaphragm and is supported by the phrenoesophageal membrane, the diaphragmatic crura, and connective tissues. Weakening of these structures—due to aging, congenital defects like a short esophagus, or increased intra-abdominal pressure from coughing, obesity, pregnancy, or heavy...