Mechanisms That Propel Gut Contents Prior to the Development of Adult Systems

Abstract

A significant complication of premature births is that the mechanisms that regulate normal intestinal movements have not yet fully developed. We have recently identified a novel pattern of contraction that is seen predominantly in the colon of mice that have not yet developed either the normal nerve circuits that control gut movement and also lack the pacemaker cells that are intrinsic to the muscle coat. This motor pattern appears to be responsible for the movement of gut content during the development and maturation of the nerve circuits that regulate this process in more adult animals. However, the mechanisms responsible for this process have not been identified. This project is directed ..

Related publications (1)

The first intestinal motility patterns in fetal mice are not mediated by neurons or interstitial cells of Cajal

RR Roberts, M Ellis, RM Gwynne, AJ Bergner, MD Lewis, EA Beckett, JC Bornstein, HM Young

2010-04-01

In mature animals, neurons and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are essential for organized intestinal motility. We investigated ..