REACTION OF THE GOBLET CELLS TO THE CHOLINERGIC STIMULATION

The reaction of goblet cells in the rabbit tracheal epithelium caused by the intravenous administration of 0.1 mg and 0.5 mg of acetylcholin e, respectively, was studied. Due to the cholinergic stimulation the g oblet cells were overstimulated, the mechanism of their secretion was accelerated and after rapid evacuation of their secretion the secretor y elements mostly degenerated. Due to the administration of both doses of acetylcholine more than 90% of goblet cells were stimulated to dis charge their mucus. After administration of 0.1 mg of acetylcholine th e reaction was more prolongated, but the peak values of the degenerate d goblet cells did not differ significantly after administration of bo th doses of acetylcholine. Twenty min after administration of 0.5 mg o f acetylcholine the signs of massive differentiation of new secretory elements were encountered.