[Acetylcholine in the bovine ciliary body and the cholinergic action of pilocarpine].

The authors have determined the acetylcholine (ACh) content in bovine ciliary bodies. One of the ciliary bodies was subjected in vivo to the influence of an aqueous solution of pilocarpine HCl 3 p. 100 which was instilled in the conjunctival cul-de-sac (ten times at a dose of three drops every three minutes). The contralateral ciliary body of the same animal served as a control for the ACh concentration. Enucleation was performed one hour after the last instillation. The average concentration of ACh estimated in 13 control ciliary bodies was 0,40 mug of ACh, and in 13 pilocarpinised eyes 0,50 mug of ACh (for 150 mg of tissue). The questions concerning the inactivation of pilocarpine and the source of augmentation of cholinergic tone in the pilocarpinised eyes have been discussed in previous communications.