Spontaneous, in vivo synaptic activity was recorded from 146 B-cells and 60 C-cells in the IXth and Xth paravertebral sympathetic ganglia of the urethane-anaesthetized bullfrog. Sympathetic outflow to the blood vessels, which are innervated by C-cells, is different from that received by targets in the skin, which are innervated by B-cells. 2. B-cells were divided into three groups: the first (61 cells) exhibited only action potentials (APs) at 0.01-0.3 s-1; the second (59 cells) exhibited APs and EPSPs and the third (26 cells) were silent. In addition to their usual suprathreshold input from the ipsilateral sympathetic chain, 53% of B-cells received subthreshold input which probably arose from fibres in the contralateral chain. 'Slow' B-cells exhibited less subthreshold activity and a slightly higher AP frequency than 'fast' B-cells. All B-cells are involved in a sympathetic reflex which is activated by tactile stimulation of the skin of the hindlimb. Activation of this reflex increased AP frequency without promoting long-lasting depolarization. 3. Sixty-seven per cent of C-cells exhibited rhythmic bursting activity with or without small intraburst EPSPs. Bursts tended to correlate with electrocardiographic (ECG) activity. The remainder exhibited an irregular pattern of activity which was not correlated with ECG activity and which included one to three APs and EPSPs interspersed between the bursts. Activity of both types of C-cell was inhibited following stimulation of the skin. 4. An average of twenty-three B-cells and twenty-one C-cells discharge simultaneously in vivo. This reflects branching of preganglionic fibres and results in synchrony of discharge in both postganglionic B- and C-fibres.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
