Effects of Microbial Contamination on the Cecum Enlargement of Germfree Rats

Abstract

Gustafsson, B. E., Midtvedt, T. & Strandberg, K. 1970. Effects of Microbial Contamination on the Cecum Enlargement of Germfree Rats. Scand. J. Gastroent. 5, 309-314.

Strips from germfree rat ceca were less sensitive to acetylcholine and serotonin than strips from conventional rats. Other smooth muscle organs of the germfree rat did not show a low muscular sensitivity to these agents. The effects of ‘conventionalization’ were different in young and old rats. Cecum contents were fully reduced in both age groups; cecum wall was fully reduced in young but only partially in old rats. The cecum muscular sensitivity remained unchanged in old but was ‘conventionalized’ in young rats. Monocontamination of germfree rats with Cl. difficile gave a partial reduction of the cecum contents and wall; the muscular sensitivity remained unchanged.

Key-words:

• Acetylcholine
• cecum
• Clostridium
• germfree life
• intestinal motility
• intestine
• microbiology
• muscle, smooth
• serotonin