Abstract
Blood flow and secretion from the submaxillary gland of the rat was recorded. Stimulation of the chordalingual nerve evoked vasodilatation which was little, if at all, decreased after administration of atropine. The secretion evoked on parasympathetic nerve stimulation was greatly reduced but not totally abolished by parasympatholytic agents. Stimulation of the cervical sympathetic trunk evoked secretion, which was mediated both via α. and β-adrenoceptors and vasoconstriction which was abolished by dihydroergotamine, and thus seemed to be mediated via α-adrenergic receptors. After α-adrenoceptor blockade vasodilatation was seen on sympathetic nerve stimulation. This was abolished by the β-adrenoceptor blocking agent propranolol.