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THE LATENCY OF RESPONSE OE SECRETORY ACINAR CELLS TO NERVE STIMULATION IN THE SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND OF THE CAT
Author(s) -
Creed Kate E,
Wilson Jane AF
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
australian journal of experimental biology and medical science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0004-945X
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1969.13
Subject(s) - submandibular gland , stimulation , cats , chemistry , endocrinology , medicine , chorda , biology , anatomy , neuroscience , taste
Summary. Micro‐electrodes were used to record the hyperpolarization across the membrane of secretory cells of the cat submandibular gland in response to stimulation of pre‐ganglionic parasympathetic (chorda tympani) and post‐ganglionic sympathetic nerves. The mean latency to parasympathetic stimulation at 1, 8 and 100/sec. was 273, 420 and 252 msec. respectively. Sympathetic stimulation produced a transient hyperpolarization at frequencies of stimulation greater than 5/sec. with a latency of over 420 msec. The conduction time along the parasympathetic pre‐ganglionic fibres was 9·5–12·0 msec., while the ganglionic delay was probably less than 30 msec. Ultrastructural studies on the submandibular gland of seven cats and seven kittens showed bundles of immyelinated fibres between acini. Some axons were partly free of Schwann cell investment and contained small agranular and granular vesicies. Single nerve fibres were also found within acini between adjacent secretory cells. These contained agranular vesicles only and their membranes were within 160Å of the acinar cell membrane. It is suggested that these are parasympathetic fibres. The close association of these with the secretory cells suggests that the long latency of the secretory potential is due to the time necessary for activation of the secretory cells.