1Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, SKUAST-J, F.V. Sc. & A.H, R.S. Pura, Jammu, J&K, India.
Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122, India.
Adrenergic neurotransmitters are important classical neurotransmitters in the nervous system of animals and trematodes. The aim of the study was to observe the effects of different adrenergic neurotransmitters on Gastrothylax crumenifer, a rumen amphistome. Epinephrine and nor-epinephrine caused significant (p<0.05) reduction in amplitude, baseline tension and frequency of spontaneous contractions as compared to control. Dopamine increased the amplitude (10−5 & 10−4 M; p<0.05), baseline tension (10−4 & 10−3 M; p<0.05) and frequency (10−4 & 10−3 M; p<0.05) of spontaneous muscular contractions. L-DOPA, a precursor of dopamine also caused an increase in amplitude of spontaneous contractions at 10−6 M (p<0.05), baseline tension at 10−4 to 10−3 M (p<0.05), however non-significant increase in frequency of muscular activity of rumen flukes. These observations indicate the functional presence of adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors in the muscles of G. crumenifer
Neurotransmitters, Muscular activity, Gastrothylax crumenifer, Dopamine
