Small intestine biopotentials in rats after hypokinesia

In order to study the effect of hypokinesia on rats' small intestine biopotentials it was first necessary to characterize it. Biopotentials were recorded by intracellulary microelectrodes from oral and caudal segments of the small intestine. The morphology of rat's small intestine biopotentials differs from that of other species (man, cat, rabbit, dog, e.a.) the slow waves being smaller and the frequency of basal electrical rhythm higher (approximately 31.23 c/min oraly and approximately 24.50 aboraly), and by waxing and waning waves that are more frequently encountered suggesting a greater number of plateaus potentials. Spike potentials are inscribed on the descending slope of the slow waves but delayed in each successive wave with a regular interval. Hypokinesia obtained by introducing rats in small cages for two weeks, increases the slow waves amplitude. Frequency of basic electric rhythm and other parameters are not specifically changed.