EFFECT OF RECTAL DISTENSION AND FEEDING ON CECAL TONE IN PIGS

Effect of rectal distention and feeding on cecal tone in pigs. PHYSIOL BEHAV 55(3) 537-539, 1994.-The effects of eating and rectal distentio n on cecal tone were evaluated. Cecal tone was measured using a comput er-controlled barostat in four female 30 to 40 kg Yucatan Micropigs fi tted with cecal fistulas. Each pig underwent two separate trials of pr e and postprandial measurements of cecal tone, either with or without continuous rectal distention with a 30 mi water-filled balloon. Cecal tone was measured 10 min prior to, during, and 10 min following a high -fat (60%) liquid meal (473 mi). Cecal tone significantly increased (i ntrabag volume decreased) after feeding (119.6+/-9.1 ml vs. 81.2+/-7.9 ml; p=0.008). Rectal distention tended to reduce the postprandial cha nge in cecal tone (142.8+/-11.5 vs. 130.9+/-12.6 ml; p=0.196). There w as also a strong tendency for cecal volumes to be higher (decreased to ne) with rectal distention preprandially (142.8+/-11.5 ml vs. 119.6+/- 9.1 ml; p=0.024). Nutrient ingestion significantly increased cecal ton e and rectal distention abolished this effect. These findings may indi cate a regulatory pathway that allows additional storage of fecal mate rial in the event that the output of the system is disturbed.