title: Stimulation of lacrimal secretion by sympathetic nerve impulses in the rabbit.
abstract: Direct electrical stimulation of the preganglionic nerve trunk of the ipsilateral superior cervical sympathetic ganglion induced fluid secretion from the cannulated main excretory duct of the non-stimulated rabbit lacrimal gland. The optimum strength and frequency of stimulation were 4 volts and 25 Hz. At this stimulus parameter, the rate of secretion was 2.1 +/- 0.2 microliter/10 min. The sympathetic-induced lacrimal secretion was markedly depressed after intravenous administration of hexamethonium (1 mg/kg) and by post-ganglionic neurectomy. The results suggest that, in addition to parasympathetic nerve activity, sympathetic nerve impulses, which pass through the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion, also play a role in initiating fluid secretion in the rabbit lacrimal gland.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001339:Autonomic Fibers, Preganglionic / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000502:physiology; D018738:Hexamethonium; D006584:Hexamethonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000294:innervation*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013562:Sympathectomy; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006584:Hexamethonium Compounds; D018738:Hexamethonium