Cholinergic transmission in the superior cervical ganglion reinnervated by peripheral vagal stump cut below the nodose ganglion in cats.

In cats, the peripheral stump of the vagus nerve cut below the nodose ganglion was sutured with preganglionically denervated superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Cross-anastomosis were performed in a total of 23 cats, of which 21 survived. In 20 cats, after 9 to 13 weeks of surgery, functional reinnervation of SCG by the vagus was established by contraction of the nictitating membrane in response to stimulation of the vagal preganglionic trunk. This contraction was reduced by the treatment with hexamethonium and atropine. Stimulation of the vagal preganglionic trunk caused release of acetylcholine into perfusate through the anastomosed SCG perfused with Kreb's solution. It is concluded that the vagal afferent fibers do reinnervate the preganglionically denervated SCG and the pharmacological nature of this reinnervated SCG is, at least in part, cholinergic.