QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s):
Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by JOHANSEN, K. Articles by MARTIN, A. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by JOHANSEN, K. Articles by MARTIN, A. W.

Journal of Experimental Biology 43,333-347 (1965)
Published by Company of Biologists 1965

Circulation in a Giant Earthworm, Glossoscolex Giganteus : I. Contractile Processes and Pressure Gradients in the Large Blood Vessels

KJELL JOHANSEN ¹ and ARTHUR W. MARTIN ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, University of Washington and Department of General and Animal Physiology, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

1. Intravascular pressures and angiographic records have been made on the giant earthworm, Glossoscolex giganteus. The measurements were made on unanaesthetized animals after previous implantation of indwelling catheters.

2. The pressures developed by the peristaltic activity of the dorsal vessel showed an average systolic value of 24 cm. H₂O while the diastolic value was 14 cm. H₂O. The frequency was variable around 6-8 contractions per min.

3. Angiographic analysis showed the peristaltic activity to include about 25 segments and to move at a velocity of 12 segments per second at 18° C. The lumen of the dorsal vessel was almost fully constricted during peristalsis.

4. The peristaltic activity of the dorsal vessel was responsible for the filling of the lateral hearts. These in turn showed an increased force of contraction at each peristaltic contraction.

5. The five pairs of lateral hearts usually contracted in synchrony. Their frequency of contraction was considerably higher than the peristalsis of the dorsal vessel (20 beats per min.).

6. The pressures developed in the ventral vessel in response to the lateral heart contractions were considerable and exceeded 100 cm. H₂O during vigorous activity. All intravascular pressures were markedly increased by general motor activity of the earthworm.

Note:

This work was supported in part by grant GB-358 of the National Science Foundation, by grant HE-02557 of the National Heart Institute and by a travel grant of the Fulbright Commission to the Junior author.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. E. Weber and S. N. Vinogradov Nonvertebrate Hemoglobins: Functions and Molecular Adaptations Physiol Rev, April 1, 2001; 81(2): 569 - 628. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]