Atropine methyl nitrate increases myenteric but not dorsal vagal complex Fos-like immunoreactivity in the rat

Atropine methyl nitrate (AMN, 0.05, 0.5 and 25 mg/kg) intraperitoneally increased Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) in the myenteric plexus, but not the dorsal vagal complex (DVC, the area postrema (AP), nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV)) in adult, male Sprague–Dawley rats. A 3 mg/kg AMN dose decreased intake of 15% sucrose, but failed to increase Fos-LI in both locations. In conclusion, the myenteric plexus may play a local role in the behavioral response evoked by AMN.