[Influence of duration and depth of ether of brevinarcon narcosis on the cerebral acetylcholine content of rat].

For decapitation of rats in order to determine brain acetylcholine (Ach) content the animals may be anaesthesized slightly by ether no longer than for 2 min, since forebrain Ach content increases quickly up to about 170% throughout the following 3 min. The progress of brain Ach content up to its maximum level is decided both by duration and degree of cns depression: In the moment of most distinctly marked Brevinarcon -narcosis -- evident 2,5 min after i. v. injection (40 mg/kg) -- the forebrain Ach content merely is increased by about 15%, but when anaesthesia is reduced considerably again -- 2,5 min later -- the Ach content only reaches its maximum level.