Analysis of the effect of glutamic acid diethyl ester on synaptic processes in the ampullae of Lorenzini of the skate

: The effects of glutamic acid diethylester (GDEE) on the electrical activity of the ampullae of Lorenzini were studied in skates. GDEE (10(-6)-10(-4) M) caused a decrease in frequency of afferent discharges in all receptors under study. GDEE also reversibly blocked the effects of excitatory amino acids (L-glutamate and L-aspartate). The results suggest that L-glutamate or related substance is likely to be the synaptic transmitter in the ampullae of Lorenzini.