The cholinergic response is increased in isolated ileum from gastroschisis rat model

Introduction Babies with gastroschisis (G) have high morbidity rate and long hospital stay due to bowel hypomotility caused by chronic exposure of the bowel to the amniotic fluid. Our aim was to evaluate the reactivity of isolated ileum in fetal rats selected for experimental gastroschisis. Method G was surgically created at 18.5 days of gestation (term = 22 days). Concentration-dependent curve to the muscarinic agonist methacholine (1–30 μM) and contractions induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS, 1–16 Hz, 50 V, 1 ms) were carried out in isolated ileum of groups control (C), sham (S) and gastroschisis (G) ( n = 30). Protein expression for M 3 was assessed by western blot analysis. Results The frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions were decreased in G ( p