Study of Emetic Receptor Sites for Staphylococcal Enterotoxin in Monkeys

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary Bilateral destruction of the area postrema on the floor of the fourth ventricle (chemoreceptor trigger zone) makes rhesus monkeys completely refractory to the emetic action of staphylococcal enterotoxin. The surgically induced resistance is effective against the 2 antigenic types of enterotoxin used. Vagotomy at the level of the diaphragm gave protection in all animals, but in some protection was not complete. The partial protection against enterotoxin-induced emesis in some of the vagotomized monkeys may be due to incompleteness of the vagotomy. If this interpretation of the results is correct, a comomn basis of emesis prevention following staphylococcal enterotoxin feedings may account for the similarity of vomiting response of the area postrema ablated and vagotomized animals. A species difference between cats and rhesus monkeys in the importance of the area postrema region for enterotoxin stimulated vomiting is indicated.