Chromodacryorrhea in laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus): etiologic considerations

Chromodacryorrhea was produced in 5, 7, and 16 week old intact and adrenalectomized rats following intravenous injection of acetylcholine or acute stress induced by limb restraint. Atropine blocked the lacrimal response to both stimuli, and epinephrine and corticosterone had no dacryogenic effects. The latent period between the onset of limb restraint and red tear release averaged 16 minutes.