Effect of secretion on vagal stimulation-evoked exocrine pancreatic secretion in the rat

The effect of secretin on nerve-mediated pancreatic juice secretion in the anaesthetized rat has been studied. Vagotomy caused a significant reduction in the rate of pancreatic juice flow, total protein output and amylase secretion being compared to control values prior to vagotomy. Both secretin (intravenous infusion 10(-10) mol/kg body weight/h) and electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves (4 V, 2 ms, 20 Hz) caused marked increases in flow, total protein output and amylase output. Pretreatment of rats with atropine (0.1 mg/kg body weight) abolished the electrical stimulation-evoked secretion. However, simultaneous intravenous infusion of secretin and electrical stimulation did not yield either a clear additive response or a potentiation of secretory responses.