Effects of potential mediators of an intestinal brake mechanism on gut motility in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Potential humoral factors controlling an intestinal brake mechanism in Chinook salmon were characterised in terms of their effect on frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions in gastrointestinal (GI) rings. Concentration-response curves of gut contractility were produced for cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8), gastrin-1, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) using gut rings from cardiac stomach (CS), pyloric stomach (PY), pyloric sphincter (Psp) and intestine (Int). Calculated log10 molar (M) EC50 values for CCK-8 (n = 7) were: CS - 8.15 ± 0.90, PY - 7.88 ± 0.48, Psp - 8.98 ± 0.68, Int - 8.93 ± 0.64. Log10 M EC50 values calculated for gastrin 1 (n = 7) were: CS - 12.45 ± 0.66, PY - 12.55 ± 0.63, Psp - 9.35 ± 0.78, Int - 12.69 ± 1.12. Log10 M EC50 values calculated for 5-HT (n = 6) were: CS - 4.78 ± 1.05 and Psp - 6.18 ± 1.14. GLP - 1 (n = 4) produced no response in any of the tissues examined. Spontaneous contractions, measured as spikes per minute and the peak force generated were also measured for each hormone-tissue combination. The Psp generated the greatest mass-specific force, with stomach rings generating the least force. Dilutions of serum from fish diagnosed with gastric dilation air sacculitis (GDAS + ve) increased gut contractility compared to controls (GDAS − ve).