title: Myoelectric activity in the intestines of healthy dairy cows during the recovery period after implantation of permanent electrodes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe myoelectric patterns in the intestines of cows after electrode implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  7 lactating Simmental-Red Holstein cows.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cows were implanted with 7 pairs of bipolar silver electrodes (1 each in the ileum, cecum, and proximal loop of the ascending colon (PLAC) and 4 in the spiral colon). Myoelectric activity was monitored during 10 periods within the first 3 weeks after surgery. Recordings from the first 2 weeks were compared with recordings from the third week, which was considered a steady-state condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant changes over time were detected for 18 of 57 variables, including 3 variables describing myoelectric activity of the ileum, 6 variables of the cecum, 6 variables of the PLAC, and 3 variables of the spiral colon. Compared with values for the steady-state condition, 16 variables differed significantly for the 14-day period after surgery (7 variables until day 11, 2 variables until day 8, 4 variables until day 5, 1 variable until day 3, and 2 variables until day 2 after electrode implantation). None of the variables had significant changes that lasted only 1 day after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant changes were observed for several variables of myoelectric activity in all intestinal segments until as late as 11 days after electrode implantation, whereas a steady-state condition was reached 14 days after surgery. Effects of drugs, manipulations, or nutrition regimens on myoelectric activity of the bovine digestive tract should be evaluated no sooner than 2 weeks after electrode implantation.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Ruminants, Department for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty of Berne, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, PO Box 8466, 3001 Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mireille
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meylan
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eicher
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zulauf
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steiner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000662:veterinary; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D007422:Intestines / Q000502:physiology*; D016065:Myoelectric Complex, Migrating / Q000502:physiology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013997:Time Factors