MICROPIPET MEASUREMENT OF AIRWAY SUB-MUCOSAL GLAND SECRETION - LARYNGEAL REFLEX

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Abstract
Microcollection technique was used to study the effect of mechanical stimulation of the larynx on tracheobronchial gland secretion. The basal secretory rate of 8 glands in 5 cats rose from 18.6 .+-. 2.0 nl/min (mean .+-. SE) to a maximum of 47.8 .+-. 4.0 nl/min within 1 min of mechanical stimulation of the laryngeal mucosa (P < 0.005), and returned to prestimulation levels within 4-5 min after cessation of the stimulus. The effect of laryngeal stimulation on gland secretion was prevented by cooling both cervical vagi to -3.degree. C before and during stimulation, and was restored by warming both vagi to 37.degree. C before stimulation. Atropine sulfate (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) prevented the secretory response to laryngeal stimulation. Transsection of the sensory nerves to the larynx blocked this response. Electrical stimulation (7 V, 20 Hz, 15 s) of the central end of the cut superior laryngeal nerve increased the rate of secretion of 6 glands in 5 cats from 10.0 .+-. 2.0 nl/min to 26.0 .+-. 3.0 nl/min (P < 0.01); atropine prevented this effect.