Autonomic nervous control of cervical secretion in the guinea-pig.

Neurogenic influence on cervical secretion was studied in experiments performed on isolated guinea-pig cervix with intact adjacent nerves. The secretion was estimated as carbohydrate efflux. Experiments were undertaken at ovulation time when secretion is most prominent. Hypogastric nerve stimulation significantly increased carbohydrate release. This response was unaffected by phentolamine but inhibited by TTX, scopolamine and hexamethonium, as well as previous destruction of paracervical ganglia. Pelvic nerve stimulation did not affect cervical secretion. Carbachol as well as VIP induced a secretory response of the same extent as did hypogastric nerve stimulation. Scopolamine abolished the VIP-induced secretion. VIP and carbachol in combination had no additive effect. It is concluded that cervical glands of the guinea-pig uterus possess a cholinergic secretomotor innervation. The main pathway is the hypogastric nerve and neurons have a peripheral relay at paracervical ganglia. A more complex peripheral organization cannot be excluded.