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 Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by DAVIE, P. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by DAVIE, P. S.

Journal of Experimental Biology 90,65-84 (1981)
Published by Company of Biologists 1981

Vascular Resistance Responses of an Eel Tail Preparation: Alpha Constriction and Beta Dilation

PETER S. DAVIE ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, The University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand; Zoology Department, The University of British Columbia, no 2354-6270, University Blvd, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 2A9.

1. An isolated, saline-perfused, eel tail preparation is described. This preparation was easily prepared and did not suffer from progressive deterioration, as indicated by stable baseline resistance with time and maintained responsiveness to drugs.

2. Elevation of caudal venous pressure caused a reduction in resistance of about 10% per 0·5 kPa. Addition of 3% or 5% human serum to the perfusate increased baseline resistance and imparted a degree of autoregulation to the preparation.

3. Full dose-response curves for the preparation's resistance responses to adrenaline (AD), noradrenaline (NA), and isoprenaline are presented.

4. AD and NA increased resistance, indicating the presence of alpha adrenergic receptors. AD was more potent than NA; the mean potency ratio was 2·78:1·00 (AD:NA).

5. Isoprenaline decreased resistance, indicating beta adrenergic receptors. From the relative potencies of isoprenaline << AD < NA in stimulating these receptors, they are classified as beta two adrenergic receptors.

6. The possible physiological functions of alpha and beta responses of the eel tail are discussed.