Autonomic control of glands and secretion: A comparative view

The autonomic nervous system together with circulating and local hormones control secretion from glands. This article summarizes histochemical and functional studies on the autonomic innervation and control of secretory glands in non-mammalian vertebrates, including secretion of saliva in the mouth and gastric acid in the stomach, secretion of enzymes and bicarbonate from the pancreas and gut wall, secretion of mucus in the gut epithelium and onto the skin, and salt secretion from salt glands and rectal glands. Cholinergic and adrenergic nerves, directly or indirectly, in combination with different types of peptidergic and other nerves appear to innervate gland tissues and affect secretion in all investigated species.