After certain tear proteins had been found to be markers of duct cell activity in the rabbit lacrimal gland, different secretagogues were tested to increase volume and protein secretion. Carbamyl-choline and the peptides eledoisin and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) stimulated volume flux as well as secretion of the marker proteins indicating duct cell activation.β-adrenergic stimulation also increased secretion of a further tear protein. This might indicate that water is secreted by the duct cells. These are stimulated by the secretagogues mentioned above.β-adrenergic stimulation might in addition activate the acinar cell system.