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Journal of Experimental Biology 46,195-203 (1967)
Published by Company of Biologists 1967

Hepatic Vein Sphincters in Elasmobranchs and Their Significance in Controlling hepatic Blood flow

KJELL JOHANSEN ¹ and DAVID HANSON ¹

¹ Department of Zoology and Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

1. Discrete muscular sphincters have been discovered on the hepatic veins of elasmobranch fishes. Their anatomy has been studied by gross dissection and by histological techniques. Their functional significance has been assessed by application of drugs to excised sphincters and by measurements of intravascular pressures in free-swimming fishes by means of chronically indwelling catheters.

2. Topical application of acetylcholine caused contraction of the sphincters and adrenaline facilitated relaxation.

3. Pressure measurements disclosed that the hepatic venous pressures in general exceed those in the central systemic veins, thus indicating partial or complete closure of the hepatic vein sphincters. The hepatic vein pressures showed spontaneous phasic changes reflecting closure and opening of the sphincters.

4. It is suggested that hepatic vein sphincters are of particular significance in elasmobranchs since negative pressures prevail in the sinus venosus and central venous sinuses, exerting suctional attraction for venous blood. A sphincteric release of hepatic blood provides a structural basis for delicate adjustments of the volume and transit time of blood in the liver and for mobilization of blood stored in the liver at times of increased demand on cardiac output.

5. The findings are discussed in relation to general mechanics of venous return in fishes and are compared with studies of hepatic vascular sphincters in other vertebrates.

Note:

Supported by grant GB-4038 from the National Science Foundation and grant GM-1194-02 from the U.S. Public Health Service.

This work was done during the tenure of an Established Investigatorship of the American HeartAssociation and supported by the Northeastern Chapter of the Washington State Heart Association.

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