Evidence that cell bodies of non-cholinergic, excitatory neurones which supply the smooth muscle of the chicken rectum are located in the ganglia of Remak's nerve.

1. A pharmacological investigation of the distribution of non-cholinergic excitatory nerve cell bodies was performed on the chicken's isolated perfused rectum with attached Remak's nerve supply. 2. Electrical stimulation of Remak's nerve trunk produced a contraction and a discharge of action potentials in the nerve branches which supply the smooth muscle of the rectum. Both responses were virtually blocked by hexamethonium when applied via the caudal mesenteric artery. 3. The contractile effect following stimulation of the nerve trunk was inhibited more effectively by hexamethonium when application was restricted to the trunk rather than to the intestine. 4. The contractile effect of stimulating the nerve branches was unaffected by hexamethonium. 5. It is concluded that ganglionic transmission, which is mediated by nicotinic receptors, occurs in the ganglia of Remak's nerve but not in ganglia of the enteric plexuses. Therefore, cell bodies of the postganglionic neurones which are considered to be non-cholinergic are located in Remak's nerve ganglia.