Acetylcholinesterase activities in association with congenital malformation of the terminal ureter in infants and children.

Acetylcholinesterase activity was found to be higher than normal in intravesical segments of ureters taken from children with vesicoureteral reflux. The ratio of acetylcholinesterase activity to total cholinesterase activity was also found to be high. Acetylcholinesterase activity was normal in intravesical segments taken from the constricted area of ureters from children with obstructive megaureter but it was high in segments taken from the juxtavesical part, immediately adjacent to the constricted area. These findings complement histological studies which have revealed a hyperplasia of cholinergic nerve fibres in the tunica muscularis of reflux ureters whereas obstructive megaureters show a hypoplasia of the beta-adrenergic system.