Preganglionic Stimulation Increases Calcium Uptake by Sympathetic Ganglia

Isolated superior cervical ganglia of rats accumulate more calcium during preganglionic stimulation than do unstimulated controls; uptake of calcium-45 is approximately doubled by stimulation of 12 impulses per second. The extra uptake is markedly reduced by a high concentration of magnesium, but not by mecamylamine hydrochloride or tetraethylammonium chloride, although all three agents eliminate the postsynaptic action potential. Uptake of calcium-45 is also greatly increased by a high external concentration of potassium.