Transmural potential difference and short circuit current of chicken cecum in vitro

The electrical parameters of the chicken cecum were studied in vitro, in birds fed a commercial NaCl-rich diet. The statistical analysis of data was carried out using a linear model-based method which enabled standardization of concomitant factors that could mask the interpretation of the results. Transmural potential difference (PD) decreased initially reaching stable values at 50 min between 7.9 and 9.0 mV. Short-circuit current (Isc) was stable during incubation, with lower values in the medial (41.8 microA/cm2) than in the distal (58.1 microA/cm2) region of the cecum. The reduction of Na+ concentration in the incubation medium produced a fall in PD and Isc and both were ouabain and amiloride sensitive. This indicates that the current is largely carried by the net Na+ transport.