CHANGES IN BILE SECRETION PRODUCED BY HIPPOCAMPAL AND HYPOTHALAMIC STIMULATION

The influence of conditioning electrical stimuli applied to the anterior hypothalamus or hippocampus on the effect exerted by the posterior hypothalamus on bile secretion was studied in anesthetized cats. Electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus alone caused a significant increase in flow from the isolated common bile duct during 4 hours. A significant increase in average potassium concentration was found in bile samples collected during this period. Electrical stimuli applied to the anterior hypothalamus or dorsal hippocampus prior to the posterior hypothalamic stimulation.abolished the expected increase in bile flow and potassium concentration. The present experiments indicate that interactions within the hypothalamo-hippocampal system may affect the rate of bile secretion and its electrolyte composition. It seems that there exists a central nervous system regulation modifying potassium efflux. © 1969.