Sterile extracts of Vibrio cholerae cultures induce a form of intestinal secretion when placed in contact with the intestinal mucosa ( 3 ) . Human cholera stools and intestha1 fluids from animals experimentally infected with V . cholerae contain a similar enterotoxic activity. We have investigated the shortterm response of the rabbit small bowel to treatment with fluids of the latter type. Intestinal loops of donor rabbits were inoculated with cultures of V . cholerae. Effluent harvested from the infected loops was sterilized by filtration and the filtrate was reinjected intraluminally into ligated intestinal loops of other rabbits. As a part of this investigation, the present study was carried out to ascertain some general characteristics of the secretory response: the volumes and electrolyte contents (potassium, chloride) of fluids accumulating in filtrate-injected loops were determined at various times, filtrate dilutions, and positions in the jejunoileum. A preliminary report has appeared elsewhere Methods. Mature rabbits of either sex and undetermined breed (mainly short-haired albinos) were used, with a mean weight a t experiment of 1.2 t 0.2 (SD) kg. Animals were received in the morning after feeding and were offered only water until use 24 or 48 hr later.(8) *
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