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A comparative study of the adrenergic innervation of the teleost heart

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Summary

An adrenergic cardiac innervation has been found in the following teleost species:Platycephalus bassensis (Platycephalidae);Atopomycterus nicthemerus (Diodontidae);Aracana ornata (Ostraciontidae);Torquiginer glaber (Tetraodontidae);Aldrichetta forsteri (Mugilidae);Anguilla australis occidentalis (Anguillidae). In contrast, no evidence for an adrenergic cardiac innervation was found in the pleuronectid,Rhombosolea tapirina.

Fluorescence histochemical studies indicated that adrenergic nerves in the sinus venosus and atrium entered via the vagus, whereas those to the ventricle passed mainly along the coronary vasculature. No fluorescent nerves were observed in the heart ofRhombosolea.

Transmural stimulation of these adrenergic nerves increased the force of beat in the atrium and ventricle ofPlatycephalus, Atopomycterus andAracana, and in the atrium only ofTorquiginer, Aldrichetta andAnguilla. In addition stimulation of the abdominal vagus nerve in the presence of hyoscine increased the force of beat and heart rate in spontaneously beating sinus-atrium preparations of all species exceptRhombosolea. Applied catecholamines increased the force of beat and heart rate in the spontaneously beating heart of all species includingRhombosolea.

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Donald, J., Campbell, G. A comparative study of the adrenergic innervation of the teleost heart. J Comp Physiol B 147, 85–91 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00689295

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