Colonic mucin secretion related to non-contractile motility in the dog

In 8 dogs a colonic pouch with fistula was surgically created. Mucin secretion was measured by washing mucus out of the pouch and then, after a number of chemical steps, by determining the turbidity with spectrophotometry. The movement of tantalum particles insufflated into the canine rectum during periods of absence of contractions was correlated with mucus secretion in the pouch. Correlations were made after parenteral injection of secretin which increased movement of tantalum particles and production of mucin, and after injection of glucagon, which stopped movement of the particles and decreased mucin secretion in the pouch. Movement of tantalum was also observed when the particles were insufflated into the canine rectum on top of an applied layer of water-soluble jelly.