DOPA in sympathetic nerve tissue--a possible source of serum DOPA in albino animals

Dopa, catecholamines, and dopac were determined in superior cervical ganglia of albino rats. The average amount of dopa in ganglia of control animals was 1.1--1.6 micrograms/g. The concentrations of catecholamines and dopac were similar to values reported by others. The tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor alpha-methylparatyrosine methyl ester caused marked decrease in the dopa concentration in the ganglia. The effect of reserpine was less pronounced. The aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor NSD 1015 markedly increased the dopa concentration.