The 5-HT receptor agonist prucalopride does not facilitate cholinergic neurotransmission in circular and longitudinal smooth muscle preparations of equine mid-jejunum.

Background: Postoperative ileus (POI) remains an important cause of death in horses. The recently developed selective 5-HT receptor agonists such as prucalopride target 5-HT receptors on myenteric cholinergic neurons to enhance acetylcholine release and GI motility. No clearcut in vitro evaluation whether highly selective 5-HT receptor agonists enhance submaximal cholinergic neurotransmission towards the muscle layer has been performed in horses.