Rapid acetylcholine and adenosine triphosphate oscillations triggered by stimulation of the Torpedo electric organ.

1. When the electric organ of Torpedo is stimulated a large number of synchronized cholinergic synapses are activated. This permits the measurement of changes in the tissue level of ACh associated with the release process, usually recorded as an electric discharge. 2. At 5 Hz stimulation the output per impulse and the amount of cytoplasmic (free ACh) declines for about 30 s. The output then remains constant while ACh is synthesized for about 90 s. Finally, the output and cytoplasmic ACh are exhausted after 120 s. These 'slow wave' changes in ACh represent about 50% of the total. 3. Superimposed on the 'slow wave' are rapid oscillations of 5 s period, which represent about 30% of the total ACh. 4. The amount of ATP oscillates in phase with ACh. These oscillations might result from regulation of enzymes involved in the synthesis of transmitter. 5. The amplitude of electrical discharge does not normally oscillate. Transmitter output is therefore not directly related to ACh concentration changes. The mechanism releasing ACh is a saturable process.