Required neural involvement in control of canine migrating motor complex

This study evaluated the effects of muscarinic, nicotinic, and adrenergic neuronal blockade on the migrating motor complex (MMC) in four unanesthetized dogs. Circular muscle contractile activity was recorded from eight strain gauge force transducers implanted on the stomach and small intestine of each dog. Both atropine sulfate and hexamethonium bromide significantly increased the period of the MMC. When the complex returned after hexamethonium administration, the period of the succeeding complexes was significantly decreased when compared to control. Guanethidine sulfate significantly increased contractile activity on the pylorus, duodenum, and jejunum with a corresponding disruption of the MMC pattern. The migrating motor complex requires the preganglionic release of acteylcholine and possibly an inhibitory input from the sympathetic nervous system for its normal appearance.