The effect of teeth amputations on the choline acetyltransferase activity of rat submaxillary glands.

The choline acetyltransferase activity in parasympathetically decentralized glands was unaffected by repeated teeth amputations over a period of 2 weeks, while after the same period of time the treatment caused the enzyme activity to increase in innervated glands. It appears that the enzyme in the postganglionic nerve is for its activity dependent on an intact connection with the central nervous system. The increase in enzyme activity is attributed to an enhanced reflex stimulation of the glands from pulpal receptors.