Myoelectric activity in the intestines of healthy dairy cows during the recovery period after implantation of permanent electrodes.

Objective: To describe myoelectric patterns in the intestines of cows after electrode implantation.

Animals: 7 lactating Simmental-Red Holstein cows.

Procedure: 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).

Spontaneous in vitro contractile activity of specimens from the abomasal wall of healthy cows and comparison among dairy breeds.

Objective: To characterize and compare in vitro contractility patterns of sections of abomasal wall harvested from cattle of 3 dairy breeds.

Sample Population: Longitudinal and circular smooth muscle preparations harvested from the antrum and body of the abomasum of 30 recently slaughtered Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Simmental X Red Holstein cows.

Procedure: Spontaneous isometric contractions of specimens in tissue baths of modified Krebs solution were recorded during a 4-hour period.