Motor and Secretory Effects of Nerves on the Parotid Gland of the Rat

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Abstract
The influence of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves on the parotid gland of the rat was investigated. Both divisions of the autonomic nerves evoke secretion and probably also motor effects in this gland. Secretion elicited on sympathetic stimulation was mediated both via .alpha.- and .beta.-adrenoceptors, while motor effects were mediated via .alpha.-adrenoceptors. On stimulation of the autonomic nerves a lower duct pressure was reached in the parotid than in the submaxillary gland, and on sympathetic nerve stimulation the flow of saliva always started later from the parotid than from the submaxillary gland. These findings are discussed in view of the different arrangement of the myoepitheilail cells in the 2 glands.