Neural control of periodic secretion of the pancreas and the stomach in fasting dogs.

The role of nerves in periodic secretion of the pancreas and the stomach in relation to the motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract was studied in conscious fasting dogs which had previously been provided with chronic gastric and pancreatic fistulae and a Heidenhain pouch. Both atropine and pentolinium abolished the periodic increase in gastric and pancreatic secretion and motility of the gut. Bilateral cervical vagal blockade with lidocaine reduced the motility of the stomach, the duodenum and the pouch preceding their peaks, but the motility at the peaks remained unchanged except in the case of the stomach. Pancreatic secretion preceding its peak was also decreased by vagal blockade but that at the peak was not significantly different from the control peak. Periodic pepsin secretion, from both the fistula and pouch, was decreased by vagal blockade. It is concluded that the secretion and motility of the upper gut in fasting dogs is controlled by periodic activity of the vagus and intrinsic nerves.