The effects of irritation at various levels of the airway upon tracheal mucus secretion in the cat.

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Abstract
Sulfated glycoprotein output from the trachea, isolated in situ, was measured in anesthetized cats by a radioisotope method. Mechanical stimulation of the nose and nasopharynx increased tracheal mucus output by reflexes which involved parasympathetic and probably also sympathetic motor pathways. Laryngeal stimulation had a similar action through the same motor pathways. Inhalation of ammonia vapor into the lower airways reflexly increased mucus output from the isolated trachea. The efferent pathway for this reflex was mainly or entirely parasympathetic. Lung inflation, inhalation of histamine aerosol and i.v. injection of phenyl diguanide (which excite mainly lung stretch receptors, lung irritant receptors and alveolar J-receptors, respectively) had no consistent effect on tracheal mucus secretion. The afferent and efferent pathways of these reflexes are discussed.