Axonal sprouts and ( 3 H)norepinephrine uptake by superior cervical ganglia in organ culture.

Superior cervical ganglia from adult rats maintained in organ culture show a progressive increase in the rate of uptake of [(3)H]norepinephrine. The enhanced uptake of norepinephrine is a consequence of the development of axonal sprouts. Formation of axonal sprouts, which appear to have many of the properties of sympathetic nerve endings, is inhibited by colchicine and vinblastine, presumably because of the interaction of these drugs with neurotubular protein.