Abstract
Repeated injections of the cholinesterase inhibitor disulfoton to female rats cause subsensitivity of the ileum to the spasmogenic action of carbachol. A slight degree of subsensitivity appeared after the second injection and sub sensitivity increased as treatment progressed. Measurement of acetylcholinesterase activity of the ileum revealed that inhibition of the enzyme also became greater as treatment progressed. When the injections of disulfoton were discontinued acetylcholinesterase levels returned to normal sometime between 2 and 5 days after the last injection of disulfoton whereas normal sensitivity to carbachol was not restored until sometime between 5 and 8 days. Repeated injections of echothiophate, parathion and OMPA also produced subsensitivity to the spasmogenic action of carbachol.