Characteristics of the myogenic behaviour of arteries of the common European frog (Rana temporaria)

Abstract

Mammalian small arteries exhibit pressure-dependent myogenic behaviour characterised by an active constriction in response to an increased transmural pressure or an active dilatation in response to a decreased transmural pressure. This study aimed to determine whether pressure-dependent myogenic responses are a functional feature of amphibian arteries. Mesenteric and skeletal muscle arteries from the common European frog (Rana temporaria) were cannulated at either end with two fine glass micropipettes in the chamber of an arteriograph. Arterial pressure-diameter relationships (5-40 mmHg) were determined in the presence and absence of Ca2+. All arteries dilated passively with increasing pressure in the absence of Ca2+. In the presence of Ca2+ proximal mesenteric branches and tibial artery branches dilated with increasing transmural pressure but tone (p < 0.05) was evident in both arteries. A clear myogenic response to a step increase or decrease in pressure was observed in small distal arteries (6 of 13 mesenteric and 7 of 10 sciatic branches) resulting in significantly (p < 0.05) narrower diameters in Ca2+ in the range 10-40 mmHg in mesenteric and 20-40 mmHg in sciatic arteries, respectively. The results demonstrate that arteries of an amphibian can generate spontaneous pressure-dependent tone. This is the first study to demonstrate myogenic contractile behaviour in arteries of nonmammalian origin.