Transient supersensitivity in the hypertrophied rat urinary bladder.

The presence of a paraffin bolus intravesically for 1 or 4 weeks was accompanied by an approximate three-fold increase in bladder weight. A supersensitivity to methacholine was demonstrated in these hypertrophied bladders at 1 week but not at 4 weeks. At the earlier time of observation, the contractile responses in vitro to nerve stimulation were reduced, while at the later time of observation the responses were the same as those of controls; the atropine-sensitive fraction of the response was entirely responsible for the recovery. The concentration of choline acetyltransferase, indicating cholinergic nerve density and initially reduced by about 50%, rose in course of time. It is suggested that in the beginning of the experimental period, the muscle cells of the hypertrophied bladders in situ are exposed to 'subnormal' transmitter concentration. An extension of the field of innervation of the cholinergic nerves may explain the disappearance of the supersensitivity.