EFFECT OF ATROPINE ON UTERINE RESPONSES TO HYPOGASTRIC NERVE STIMULATION. ACTION AT THE GANGLIONIC SYNAPSE

Abstract

Small doses of atropine (up to 5 mg.) had no effect on the uterine response to hypogastric nerve stimulation in the rabbit and monkey. Larger amts. of atropine (usually 10-25 mg.) depressed and often abolished the responses for periods lasting 1/2 to 2 hrs. The results with the larger doses of atropine are probably due to the depressant action of the drug at the synaptic connections which lie along the hypogastric nerve pathway, distal to the point of stimulation. Further confirmation of the action of atropine at sympathetic ganglia has been obtained by observing its effect on the changes in the pupil and nictitating membrane in response to stimulation of the cervical sympathetic below and above the superior cervical ganglion.