Summary
After sectioning the postganglionic adrenergic sympathetic nerve trunk for the submandibular gland, as close to the submandibular artery as practicable, its central end was sutured to the peripheral end of the preganglionic cholinergic parasympathetic nerve trunk for the gland, the chorda, which had been sectioned where it left the lingual nerve. The effects of this heterologous cross-sature were studied at different times, up to 1 year afterwards, by assessing the physiological and pharmacological responses of the glands and the neuro-histochemical changes in the nerve trunks and in the nerves within the glands.
In all cases adrenergic sympathetic nerves grew across the site of suture and down the erstwhile cholinergic parasympathetic trunk, eventually to develop connections in the gland. In some cases the functional adrenergic reinnervation of the submandibular gland appeared to result exclusively or predominantly from the direct downgrowth of adrenergic axons to the gland, via the crossed nerves. In other cases however, in addition to a direct glandular reinnervation, there was some physiological and morphological evidence which suggested that possible heterogenous synaptic contacts may have been created between postganglionic sympathetic axons and cholinergic ganglion cells in the chorda nerve.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Calugareanu, Henri, V.: Régénération fonctionelle de la corde du tympan suturée avec le bout central du nerf hypoglosse. C. R. Soc. Biol. (Paris) 53, 1099–1100 (1901)
Cunningham, R.H.: The restoration of coordinated volitional movement after nerve “crossing”. Amer. J. Physiol. 1, 239–254 (1898)
Dale, H.H.: Pharmacology and nerve endings. Proc. roy. Soc. Med. 28, 319–332 (1934)
Emmelin, N.: Action of transmitters on the responsiveness of effector cells. Experientia (Basel) 21, 57–65 (1965)
Emmelin, N., Malm, L., Strömblad, R.: Functional union between hypoglossal and postganglionic parasympathetic nerve fibres. Experientia (Basel) 16, 282 (1960)
Emmelin, N., Muren, A.: Sensitization of the submaxillary gland to chemical stimuli. Acta physiol. scand. 24, 103–127 (1951)
Emmelin, N., Muren, A., Strömblad, R.: Secretory and vascular effects of various drugs injected into the submaxillary duct. Acta physiol. scand. 32, 325–338 (1954)
Emmelin, N., Trendelenburg, U.: Degeneration activity after parasympathetic or sympathetic denervation. Ergebn. Physiol. 66, 147–211 (1972)
Eränkö, O.: The practical histochemical demonstration of catecholamines by formaldehyde-induced fluorescence. J. roy. micr. Soc. 87, 259–276 (1967)
Falck, B., Owman, C.: A detailed methodological description of the fluorescence method for the cellular demonstration of biogenic monoamines. Acta Univ. Lund. II no 7. (1965)
Flourens, M.P.: Expériences sur la réunion ou cicatrisation des plaies de la moelle épinière et des nerfs. Annal, sci. natur. 13, 113–122 (1828)
Garrett, J.R.: Innervation of salivary glands. 1. Cholinesterase positive nerves in normal glands of the cat. J. roy. micr. Soc. 85, 135–148 (1966)
Garrett, J.R.: Changes in autonomie nerves of salivary glands on degeneration and regeneration. Progr. Brain Res. 34, 475–488 (1971)
Giacobini, E.: Molecular mechanisms of nervous transmission and synaptic plasticity. Progr. Brain Res. 34, 243–258 (1971)
Gomori, G.: Microscopic Histochemistry. University of Chicago Press (1952)
Karnovsky, M.J.: A formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixative of high osmolality for use in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 27, 137A-138A (1965)
Koslow, S.H., Stepita-Klauco, M., Olson, L., Giacobini, E.: Functional reinnervation of cat sympathetic ganglia with splenic nerve homografts. Experientia (Basel) 27, 799–801 (1971)
Langley, J.N.: On the union of cranial autonomie (visceral) fibres with the nerve cells of the superior cervical ganglion. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 23, 240–270 (1898)
Langley, J.N., Anderson, H.K.: The union of different kinds of nerve fibres. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 31, 365–391 (1904)
Olson, L.: Outgrowth of sympathetic adrenergic neurons in mice treated with a nerve-growth factor (NGF). Z. Zellforsch. 81, 155–173 (1967)
Reynolds, E.S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963)
Rodríguez, E.M.: Fixation of the central nervous system by perfusion of the cerebral ventricles with a three-fold aldehyde mixture. Brain Res. 15, 395–412 (1970)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was supported by a grant from the Joint Research Committee, King's College Hospital.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kemplay, S.K., Garrett, J.R. Effects of heterologous cross-suture between the postganglionic sympathetic and the preganglionic parasympathetic nerve trunks of submandibular glands in cats. Cell Tissue Res. 167, 197–210 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224327
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224327