Activity of caudal mesenteric ganglion in relation to its impulsation (age aspect)

Abstract

It has been shown in acute experiments on cats and kittens that the pre- and postganglionic nerves of the caudal mesenteric sympathetic ganglion (CMSG) are bioelectrically active from the first day of the animal's life. When the impulsation which comes to the ganglion along the afferent and preganglionic fibers is removed, the impulse activity of the post-ganglionic neurons disappears completely. In newborn kittens the level of activity of the postganglionic fibers is determined to a greater degree by the afferent impulsation of the hypogastric nerves than in adult cats. The effect of the preganglionic impulsation, especially that coming through the intramesenteric nerves, predominates in adult animals. The efferent impulsation of the hypogastric nerves in cats not older than five days disappeared after sectioning of two to three preganglionic branches of the CMSG; in six to nine and 14 to 15-day-old cats, after sectioning of four and in month old cats after sectioning of five; and in two to three month old cats after sectioning of six branches. In adult cats after the first sectioning the postganglionic impulsation frequently intensified, and after sectioning of seven branches the activity completely disappeared. Automatic activity of the ganglia was not observed, postganglionic impulsation developed and changed under the influence of the impulses coming to the ganglion.