The role of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the control of the ovine pyloric antral myoelectric response to nutrients during individual phases of the migrating myoelectric complex

When feed was administered during phase 1 or 2a of the MMC cycle, a significant response was recorded only in the non-fasted sheep. When feed was given following hexamethonium (2.0 mg/kg i.v.), atropine (0.1 mg/kg i.v.) or pirenzepine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) administration, the response was still significant. Furthermore, the anticholinergic drugs often exerted more pronounced effect in non-fasted than in fasted animals. Thus, the muscarinic and nicotinic receptors contribute substantially, but not entirely to the control of the postprandial gastric motility in sheep and the roles of various MMC phases in this control can differ.