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First published online August 23, 2004
Journal of Experimental Biology 207, 3339-3348 (2004)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2004
doi: 10.1242/jeb.01164

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Structural basis for control of secondary vessels in the long-finned eel Anguilla reinhardtii

Peter Vilhelm Skov^* and Michael Brian Bennett

School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia

^* Author for correspondence at present address: University of Copenhagen, Marine Biological Laboratory, Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000 Helsingør (e-mail: pvskov{at}bi.ku.dk)

Accepted 24 June 2004

Histological sections of primary segmental arteries and associated interarterial anastomoses and secondary vessels from the long-finned eel Anguilla reinhardtii were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Interarterial anastomoses were found to originate from the primary vasculature as depressions through the tunica intima and media, from where they ran perpendicularly to the adventitial layer, before coiling extensively. From here the anastomoses travelled a relatively linear path in the outer margin of the adventitia to anastomose with a secondary vessel running in parallel with the primary counterpart. In contrast to findings from other species, secondary vessels had a structure quite similar to that of primary vessels; they were lined by endothelial cells on a continuous basement membrane, with a single layer of smooth muscle cells surrounding the vessel. Smooth muscle cells were also found in the vicinity of interarterial anastomoses in the adventitia, but these appeared more longitudinally orientated. The presence of smooth muscle cells on all aspects of the secondary circulation suggests that this vascular system is regulated in a similar manner as the primary vascular system. Because interarterial anastomoses are structurally integrated with the primary vessel from which they originate, it is anticipated that flow through secondary vessels to some extent is affected by the vascular tone of the primary vessel. Immunohistochemical studies showed that primary segmental arteries displayed moderate immunoreactivity to antibodies against 5-hydroxytryptamine and substance P, while interarterial anastomoses and secondary vessels showed dense immunoreactivity. No immunoreactivity was observed on primary or secondary arteries against neuropeptide Y or calcitonin gene-related peptide.

Key words: secondary vessel, interarterial anastomoses, immunohistochemistry, control, structure, organisation, long-finned eel, Anguilla reinhardtii

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