Secretory and motor effects in the submaxillary gland of the rat on intraarterial administration of some polypeptides and autonomic drugs.

Bradykinin, oxytocin, physalaemin and some autonomic drugs were injected in to the common carotid artery. Physalaemin evoked secretion and a pressure rise in the submaxillary duct. A duct pressure rise could be elicited by bradykinin which did not evoke secretion. Autonomic blocking agents did not diminish secretion evoked by physalaemin and did not change pressure responses elicited by bradykinin or physalaemin. Neither secretion, nor duct pressure changes could be recorded after administration of oxytocin. In agreement with previous experiments secretion evoked by autonomic drugs was found to be mediated via cholinergic, alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors, while motor effects were due to activation of cholinergic and alpha-adrenergic receptors.