Effect of spinal ganglionectomy on substance P-like immunoreactivity in the gastroduodenal tract of cats.

Bilateral ligation of the splanchnic nerves and spinal ganglionectomy from T5 to L2 both produced a profound decrease of substance P (SP)-like immunoreactivity in Auerbach's plexuses of the duodenum and the antrum of the stomach in the cats. As unilateral dorsal rhizotomy from T5 to L2 produced no such changes, SP is probably synthesized in the spinal ganglion and transported through the splanchnic nerve to the gastroduodenal wall.