Relationship between the residual effects of disorders in the cholinergic system and the activities of the cardiac, respiratory, and somatomotor systems of 1- and 16-day-old rats were studied. Experiments were carried out on intact conscious rats before and after drug injection (nicotinic cholinoreceptor blocker benzohexonium). In order to increase the level of cholinoreactive structure activation, acetylcholinesterase inhibition by eserine was carried out. Injection of benzohexonium caused rarefaction of HR, respiration rate, and a decrease of motor activity parameters in rats of both age groups. Injection of eserine after cholinolytic premedication led to further rarefaction of the respiration rate and HR. The reaction of the somatosensory system to changed level of cholinoreactive structure activation was age-specific. Motor activity increased in 1-day-old rats and was depressed significantly in 16-day-old ones.
Keywords: benzohexonium; eserine; heart rhythm; motor activity; respiration.