Influence of vagus nerve on catecholamine production of dog lungs.

The effect of electrical stimulation of the cut cervical vagal nerves in dogs on airway resistance and circulating catecholamine concentrations was determined before and after propranolol. Airway resistance increased after 1 min of stimulation and decreased after 9 min of stimulation. The circulating catecholamine levels increased significantly in the pulmonary artery after 1 min of stimulation. After 9 min of stimulation the increase in the femoral artery was relatively more than in the pulmonary artery. This late increase most probably represents catecholamine supply from lung structures.