Excessive gastric retention by vagotomized rats and rabbits given a solid diet

Comparison of data from vagotomized and laparotomized animals that underwent an electrophysiological verification procedure indicated that the stomachs of vagotomization animals declined only slightly in size across the full range of fasting intervals, whereas the stomachS of fasted laparotomyized animals decreased to a minimum size within 0–4 h in rats and 12–24 h in rabbits.

Abstract

Rats and rabbits were subjected to bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy or laparotomy (sham vagotomy) and maintained on a diet of solid food. Measurement of stomach size was done following fasting for 0, 4, 8, or 12 h in rats or 0, 12, or 24 h in rabbits. Comparison of data from vagotomized and laparotomized animals that underwent an electrophysiological verification procedure indicated that the stomachs of vagotomized animals declined only slightly in size across the full range of fasting intervals, whereas the stomachs of fasted laparotomized animals decreased to a minimum size within 0–4 h in rats and 12–24 h in rabbits. This effect of vagal destruction on gastric function provides a partial explanation for changes in the feeding pattern observed subsequent to vagotomy. In addition, measurement of stomach size provides a reliable means of verifying the completeness of vagal damage produced by a vagotomy procedure.