Exocrine pancreatic function during cold blockade of the vagus in chronic experiments on calves

Abstract

Four calves were prepared surgically to investigate the exocrine pancreatic function in chronic experiments. Cooling devices were implanted on both vagi for temporary, reversible, thermal blockade of the conductivity in the nerves. Cooling of the vagi caused significant decreases of volume, total protein content and trypsin activity in pancreatic juice. All of these variables recovered to the control level immediately after the cooling. Results presented indicate an important role of vagally driven information on the exocrine pancreatic secretion in calves.