REINNERVATION OF SUBMAXILLARY GLANDS AFTER PARTIAL POSTGANGLIONIC DENERVATION

¹ Institute of Physiology, University of Lund, Sweden

Supersensitivity following section of the chorda tympani within the hilum of the submaxillary gland of the cat, producing decentralization and partial postganglionic denervation, was found not to diminish during six months provided that preganglionic regeneration was prevented. When this was allowed to occur there was a very marked reduction of the sensitivity, a pronounced increase of the choline acetyltransferase activity, a lively secretion in response to chorda stimulation: the secretory responses to eserine injected into the gland through the salivary duct, which were very small shortly after the operation, increased in spite of decreasing sensitivity. These observations are taken as evidence that collateral regeneration occurred from the remaining postganglionic neurones but only when contact with the central nervous system had been re-established by preganglionic regeneration.

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This work was supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council.