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1. The role of post-synaptic adrenergic neurones in the biochemical maturation of presynaptic cholinergic nerve terminals has been investigated in mouse superior cervical ganglion in vivo.

2. Selective destruction of ganglion adrenergic neurones chemically, with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OH-DA), or immunologically, with nerve growth factor antiserum (NGF-antiserum) prevented the normal maturation of choline acetyl transferase (ChAc) activity in presynaptic endings during development. Enzyme activity remained depressed for at least 2 months.

3. 6-OH-DA treatment failed to alter ChAc activity in the developing duodenum or diaphragm, organs in which cholinergic fibres do not synapse with adrenergic neurones, suggesting that destruction of post-synaptic neurones per se inhibited presynaptic maturation.

4. Similarly, NGF-antiserum, which does not destroy adrenergic neurones in the adult did not alter ChAc activity in adult mouse ganglia.

5. These observations suggest that post-synaptic adrenergic neurones regulate the biochemical development of presynaptic cholinergic nerve terminals.