Blood Flow In Sheep Research Articles

Uterine blood flow in sheep and goats during the peri-parturient period assessed by transrectal Doppler sonography

The aim of the present study was to evaluate uterine blood flow (UBF) during the postpartum period in small ruminants. The study involved measures of UBF in 5 ewes and 5 goats during the first 4 weeks after parturition. Transrectal quantification of UBF was assessed by determining the diameter (DM), time averaged mean velocity (TAMEAN), blood flow volume (BFV), blood flow acceleration (ACCE) and pulsatility index (PI) in the uterine arteries ipsilateral to the previously gravid uterine horn(s) at Wk 20 of gestation and every 3days from the day of parturition (D 0) until Day 27 postpartum (D 27). The diameters of the uterine arteries decreased (P<0.01) in both species during the postpartum period. The results revealed decreases (P<0.0001) in BFV, ACCE and TAMEAN, while PI increased during the postpartum period in both sheep and goats. Furthermore, there were positive correlations (P<0.05) between blood flow parameters in sheep and goats, respectively (BFV and DM, r=0.62 and 0.58; BFV and ACCE, r=0.32 and 0.26; BFV and TAMEAN, r=0.51 and 0.37). There were negative correlations (P<0.05) between PI and other parameters (PI and BFV, r=−0.39 and −0.36; PI and DM, r=−0.54 and −0.24; PI and ACCE, r=−0.58 and −0.48; and PI and TAMEAN, r=−0.80 and −0.79) in sheep and goats, respectively. Altogether, these results indicate that non-invasive Doppler ultrasound parameters provide important information toward understanding changes in the vasculature and its perfusion of the uterus during the postpartum period in sheep and goats.

Stress-induced decrease of uterine blood flow in sheep is mediated by alpha 1-adrenergic receptors

Prenatal maternal stress can be transferred to the fetus via a catecholamine-dependent decrease of uterine blood flow (UBF). However, it is unclear which group of adrenergic receptors mediates this mechanism of maternal–fetal stress transfer. We hypothesized that in sheep, alpha 1-adrenergic receptors may play a key role in catecholamine mediated UBF decrease, as these receptors are mainly involved in peripheral vasoconstriction and are present in significant number in the uterine vasculature. After chronic instrumentation at 125 ± 1 days of gestation (dGA; term 150 dGA), nine pregnant sheep were exposed at 130 ± 1 dGA to acute isolation stress for one hour without visual, tactile, or auditory contact with their flockmates. UBF, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), stress hormones, and blood gases were determined before and during this isolation challenge. Twenty-four hours later, experiments were repeated during alpha 1-adrenergic receptor blockage induced by a continuous intravenous infusion of urapidil. In both experiments, ewes reacted to isolation with an increase in serum norepinephrine, cortisol, BP, and HR as typical signs of activation of sympatho-adrenal and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Stress-induced UBF decrease was prevented by alpha 1-adrenergic receptor blockage. We conclude that UBF decrease induced by maternal stress in sheep is mediated by alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. Future studies investigating prevention strategies of impact of prenatal maternal stress on fetal health should consider selective blockage of alpha 1-receptors to interrupt maternal–fetal stress transfer mediated by utero-placental malperfusion.

Coronary Hemodynamics and Myocardial Oxygen Consumption During Support With Rotary Blood Pumps

Mechanical support offered by rotary pumps is increasingly used to assist the failing heart, although several questions concerning physiology remain. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effect of left-ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy on coronary hemodynamics, myocardial oxygen consumption, and pulmonary blood flow in sheep. We performed an acute experiment in 10 sheep to obtain invasively measured coronary perfusion data, as well as pressure and flow conditions under cardiovascular assistance. A DeBakey VAD (MicroMed Cardiovascular, Inc., Houston, TX, USA) was implanted, and systemic and coronary hemodynamic measurements were performed at defined baseline conditions and at five levels of assistance. Data were measured when the pump was clamped, as well as under minimum, maximum, and moderate levels of assistance, and in a pump-off condition where backflow occurs. Coronary flow at the different levels of support showed no significant impact of pump activity. The change from baseline ranged from -10.8% to +4.6% (not significant [n.s.]). In the pulmonary artery, we observed a consistent increase in flow up to +4.5% (n.s.) and a decrease in the pulmonary artery pressure down to -14.4% (P = 0.004). Myocardial oxygen consumption fell with increasing pump support down to -34.6% (P = 0.008). Left-ventricular pressure fell about 52.2% (P = 0.016) as support was increased. These results show that blood flow in the coronary arteries is not affected by flow changes imposed by rotary blood pumps. An undiminished coronary perfusion at falling oxygen consumption might contribute to cardiac recovery.

Haeme oxygenase and nitric oxide synthetase blockade and brain blood flow in sheep exposed to carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) usually does not damage the brain cortex in our in vivo model. To investigate the possible protective role of responsive and regulated changes in blood flow, 24 ewes were randomly assigned in equal numbers to sham-control, CO-control and treatment (haeme oxygenase (HO) and nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) inhibited) groups. Sheep in the second and third groups were then anaesthetised with CO for 2 h. Brain blood flow was measured using Laser Doppler and was increased in CO exposed sheep. The CO-induced anaesthesia was associated with isolated brain white matter damage. In the HO/NOS inhibited sheep, cortical EEG recovery after the anaesthesia was slower and incomplete, and cortical blood flow increased whereas white matter flow decreased. These results confirm our earlier findings that the induction of HO and NOS by CO inhalation is protective, but, suggest a relationship between tissue injury and blood flow that is perhaps partly causal.

Cardiovascular Adaptations to Pregnancy in Sheep and Effects of Periconceptional Undernutrition

The objective of this study was to describe the effects of pregnancy on blood volume and uterine blood flow in sheep, and to test the hypothesis that the effects of periconceptional undernutrition on the late-gestation fetus are mediated by alterations in these parameters. Singleton-bearing ewes that had been undernourished preconception, postconception, both, or neither, underwent estimation of blood volume in mid and late gestation, and measurement of uterine blood flow in late gestation. Seven non-pregnant ewes were also studied. Pregnancy resulted in a 31% greater red cell volume in mid-gestation (21.0 ± 1.3 vs 16.1 ± 0.8 ml/kg, p < 0.05), but no significant change in plasma or blood volume. However maternal blood volume was correlated with uterine blood flow ( r 2 = 0.22, p = 0.05) and fetal size ( r 2 = 0.20, p = 0.02). Uterine blood flow was 13% greater in the undernourished groups than controls (1847 ± 100 vs 1641 ± 79 ml/min, p < 0.01). The large increase in maternal blood volume integral to a successful human pregnancy was not present in sheep. The increased uterine blood flow after periconceptional undernutrition suggests that nutritional signals before and in early pregnancy influence fetal nutrient supply in late gestation.

Comparison of pulsatile and non‐pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass on regional renal blood flow in sheep

Objective—The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on sheep regional renal blood flow by comparing pulsatile and non‐pulsatile perfusion at two different flow rates.Design—Seven female Suffolk sheep were used and the animals were perfused with pulsatile and non‐pulsatile CPB at flow rates of 60 and 100 ml/min/kg. Regional renal blood flow was measured by the colored microsphere method. General linear model ANOVA was performed to analyze the data.Results—Regional renal blood flow was significantly higher in both outer and middle cortices of pulsatile CPB compared with non‐pulsatile CPB (outer cortex: pulsatile CPB, 381 ± 192 ml/min/100 g, non‐pulsatile CPB, 255 ± 151 ml/min/100 g, p = 0.002; middle cortex: pulsatile CPB, 239 ± 114 ml/min/100 g, non‐pulsatile CPB, 176 ± 80 ml/min/100 g, p = 0.02). The increase of flow rate from 60 to 100 ml/min/kg improved renal cortical blood flow significantly.Conclusion—The regional renal blood flow was significantly higher in both outer and middle cortices of pulsatile CPB compared with the non‐pulsatile CPB.

The effect of alpha(2) agonist-induced sedation and its reversal with an alpha(2) antagonist on organ blood flow in sheep.

We investigated changes in cardiac output and organ blood flow induced by medetomidine in sheep and determined changes in cardiac output and organ blood flow after reversal of medetomidine-induced sedation by atipamezole. Eight sheep were chronically instrumented. Medetomidine was infused IV to target plasma levels of 0, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, 6.4, and 12.8 ng/mL for 25 min each, followed by a 5-min infusion of atipamezole. Hemodynamic values and organ blood flow (using colored microspheres) were measured just before medetomidine infusion (baseline), at the end of each medetomidine infusion step, and 30 min after the administration of atipamezole. Medetomidine (12. 8 ng/mL) decreased cardiac output from 6.3 +/- 1.0 to 3.2 +/- 0.7 L/min (P < 0.0001) and increased systemic vascular resistance from 1310 +/- 207 to 3467 +/- 1299 dynes. s(-1). cm(-5) (P < 0.0001). Blood flow decreased in the cerebral cortex from 1.29 +/- 0.40 to 0. 66 +/- 0.12 mL. g(-1). min(-1) (P < 0.0001), left ventricle from 2. 11 +/- 0.61 to 1.40 +/- 0.40 mL. g(-1). min(-1) (P < 0.0001), kidney from 8.28 +/- 3.17 to 6.07 +/- 2.65 mL. g(-1). min(-1) (P < 0.0001), skin from 0.09 +/- 0.04 to 0.05 +/- 0.02 mL. g(-1). min(-1) (P < 0. 0001), intestine from 0.56 +/- 0.13 to 0.27 +/- 0.07 mL. g(-1). min(-1) (P < 0.0001), and skeletal muscle from 0.28 +/- 0.15 to 0.04 +/- 0.01 mL. g(-1). min(-1) (P < 0.0001). Blood flow in the liver (hepatic artery) increased from 0.05 +/- 0.03 to 0.24 +/- 0.16 mL. g(-1). min(-1) (P < 0.0001). After atipamezole infusion, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance returned to baseline, but the cerebral cortex, left ventricle, and renal blood flows remained below baseline at 0.89 +/- 0.22, 1.37 +/- 0.50, and 6.25 +/- 2.76 mL. g(-1). min(-1), respectively; skeletal muscle blood flow increased above baseline to 0.44 +/- 0.27 mL. g(-1). min(-1), spleen blood flow decreased below baseline to 1.65 +/- 0.61 mL. g(-1). min(-1) (P < 0.0001), and liver, intestine, and lung blood flows returned to baseline values. In conclusion, medetomidine decreased and redistributed organ blood flow in sheep. Atipamezole reversed the medetomidine-induced hemodynamic changes, but redistributed blood flow from the brain, heart, and kidney to the skeletal muscle.

The Neurotoxicity of Drugs Given Intrathecally (Spinal)

The Neurotoxicity of Drugs Given Intrathecally (Spinal)

Prostaglandin E2 inhibition of fetal breathing movements is not sustained during prolonged reduced uterine blood flow in sheep

Fetal breathing movements (FBM) are inhibited by both exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and ethanol in sheep. Maternal ethanol exposure in late-gestation sheep also increases fetal [PGE2]. However, during prolonged reduced uterine blood flow (RUBF) when [PGE2] in fetal plasma is already elevated, FBM are not inhibited by ethanol. These experiments were designed, therefore, to test the hypothesis that the FBM response to PGE2 is also diminished during RUBF. PGE2 (594 ± 19 ng·min-1·kg-1 fetal body weight) was infused for 6 h into the jugular vein of RUBF (PO2 = 14 ± 1 mmHg (1 mmHg = 133.3 Pa); n = 7) and control (PO2 = 22 ± 1 mmHg (p &lt; 0.01); n = 7) ovine fetuses, and the effect on FBM, electrocortical (ECoG), and electroocular activities was determined. The infusion of PGE2 increased plasma [PGE2] from 881 ± 162 to 1189 ± 114 pg·mL-1 in RUBF fetuses and from 334 ± 72 to 616 ± 118 pg·mL-1 (p &lt; 0.05) in control fetuses. FBM were initially inhibited by PGE2 from 22.5 ± 9.4 and 17.9 ± 6.5% of the time to 6.9 ± 2.4 and 0.5 ± 0.4% (p &lt; 0.01) in RUBF and control fetuses, respectively. FBM remained inhibited in control fetuses throughout the infusion but returned to baseline incidence in RUBF fetuses in the last 2 h of the infusion. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that one component of the adaptative mechanisms of the fetus to prolonged RUBF is an altered response of FBM to exogenous PGE2. We speculate that the lack of a sustained inhibition in FBM during RUBF with infusion of PGE2 may be a result of an alteration in brainstem receptor function or number or local PGE2 removal.Key words: fetal breathing movements, prostaglandin E2, hypoxia, reduced uterine blood flow, ethanol, fetal behaviour.

Technical note: measuring portal blood flow in sheep using an ultrasonic transit time flow probe.

Our objective was to validate the use of an ultrasonic transit-time flowmeter for the measurement of portal blood flow (PBF) in sheep. Data recorded with this technique were compared with those obtained with an indicator dilution method, and probes were calibrated in vivo. Wethers were fitted with catheters in the portal, jejunal, and ruminal veins and in a mesenteric artery. Ultrasonic flow probes were implanted around the portal vein: S-series probes in three wethers, and A-series probes in four wethers. The PBF measured with A-series probes was within 10% of that measured by indicator dilution, but PBF measured with S-series probes were 52 to 77% of that determined by indicator dilution. In vivo calibration indicated that A-series probes provided accurate measurement of PBF (absolute accuracy: 5%+/-zero flow error). In conclusion, an ultrasonic transit-time flowmeter, with an A-series probe, can be used to reliably measure PBF in sheep.

Prostaglandin E2 inhibition of fetal breathing movements is not sustained during prolonged reduced uterine blood flow in sheep.

Fetal breathing movements (FBM) are inhibited by both exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and ethanol in sheep. Maternal ethanol exposure in late-gestation sheep also increases fetal [PGE2]. However, during prolonged reduced uterine blood flow (RUBF) when [PGE2] in fetal plasma is already elevated, FBM are not inhibited by ethanol. These experiments were designed, therefore, to test the hypothesis that the FBM response to PGE2 is also diminished during RUBF. PGE2 (594+/-19 ng.min(-1).kg(-1) fetal body weight) was infused for 6 h into the jugular vein of RUBF (PO2 = 14+/-1 mmHg (1 mmHg = 133.3 Pa); n = 7) and control (PO2 = 22+/-1 mmHg (p < 0.01); n = 7) ovine fetuses, and the effect on FBM, electrocortical (ECoG), and electroocular activities was determined. The infusion of PGE2 increased plasma [PGE2] from 881+/-162 to 1189+/-114 pg.mL(-1) in RUBF fetuses and from 334+/-72 to 616+/-118 pg.mL(-1) (p < 0.05) in control fetuses. FBM were initially inhibited by PGE2 from 22.5+/-9.4 and 17.9+/-6.5% of the time to 6.9+/-2.4 and 0.5+/-0.4% (p < 0.01) in RUBF and control fetuses, respectively. FBM remained inhibited in control fetuses throughout the infusion but returned to baseline incidence in RUBF fetuses in the last 2 h of the infusion. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that one component of the adaptative mechanisms of the fetus to prolonged RUBF is an altered response of FBM to exogenous PGE2. We speculate that the lack of a sustained inhibition in FBM during RUBF with infusion of PGE2 may be a result of an alteration in brainstem receptor function or number or local PGE2 removal.

Prostaglandin E2 inhibits fetal breathing movements during prolonged reductions in uterine blood flow in sheep

Prostaglandin E2 inhibits fetal breathing movements during prolonged reductions in uterine blood flow in sheep

Melatonin and farm animals: Endogenous rhythms and exogenous applications

Studies on farm animals have contributed significantly to our increased understanding of basic melatonin-related physiological mechanisms, as well as to the regulation of reproduction and pelage in individual domestic species. This review concentrates on recent work on the role of melatonin in the regulation of porcine reproduction, cervine endocrine, and behavioral cycles and wool and cashmere production which has added to this knowledge base. Early studies of the domestic pig indicated that melatonin secretion in this species differed markedly from that in other domestic and laboratory animals. There is now clear evidence that this is not the case and that the domestic pig uses a circadian rhythm of melatonin release for the transduction of photoperiodic information. Apparent inconsistencies among reports may be due, in part, to differences in the conditions under which the experiments were performed and to the assay systems employed to measure circulating melatonin, the concentrations of which are much lower than in other domestic species. Appropriately administered exogenous melatonin advances the onset of puberty in gilts, and may prove to be effective in overcoming seasonal infertility in female pigs. Appropriately timed melatonin and/or photoperiod treatments, administered to ruminants in utero, influence the reproductive physiology of the offspring, indicating that even in species which don't develop an endogenous melatonin rhythm till some weeks postnatally, awareness of photoenvironment, presumably via maternal melatonin, predates birth. Pre- or early postnatal melatonin-related treatments also influence the development/cycle frequency of pelage. Areas requiring further investigation include the hormonal/growth factors involved, reasons for the transient nature of the effects in sheep and goats, and the reason for similar effects on pelage of augmenting or inactivating melatonin. Aspects of endogenous melatonin rhythms in farm species which require further study include: the significance of the abolition of the nocturnal melatonin peak in the sheep by prolonged short day exposure; the increased pineal bloodflow in sheep bred to produce high wool yields; the presence of high daytime melatonin levels immediately prior to the rut in the fallow buck; and the low amplitude of the rhythm in the domestic pig.

Alveolar and lung liquid clearance in the absence of pulmonary blood flow in sheep

The effect of removing pulmonary blood flow on the clearance of excess liquid and protein from the air spaces and interstitium of the normal lung was studied in anesthetized ventilated sheep. To eliminate pulmonary blood flow to one lung, the left pulmonary artery was occluded. Autologous serum (3 ml/kg) with 125I-labeled albumin was then instilled into the left lower lobe. Hemodynamics and lung lymph were measured, and the lungs were removed after 4 h. Alveolar protein concentration over 4 h was used as the index of alveolar liquid clearance. Total lung liquid clearance was measured by the gravimetric method. The percent increase in alveolar protein concentration over baseline was similar between sheep without pulmonary blood flow (33.8 +/- 17.4) and with pulmonary blood flow (31.1 +/- 14.6); thus, alveolar liquid clearance was not changed by the absence of pulmonary blood flow. Also, in the absence of pulmonary blood flow, lung liquid clearance (as percent of instilled) over 4 h was 27.1 +/- 3.8 (n = 7), which was not significantly different from control experiments with pulmonary blood flow (26.4 +/- 7.1, n = 7). In the sheep without pulmonary blood flow, bronchopulmonary anastomotic flow was 41.5 +/- 21.3 ml/min. To further reduce blood flow to the lung, both the left pulmonary artery and the bronchoesophageal artery were occluded, which reduced bronchopulmonary anastomotic flow to the left lung to 12.0 +/- 9.3 ml/min. This further reduction in blood flow did not, however, change alveolar or lung liquid clearance. Even with this low blood flow to the left lung, the removal of 125I-albumin from the lung was not altered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in tracheal mucosal thickness and blood flow in sheep

Airway narrowing may be produced by increasing the blood volume of the airway mucosa. Here changes in tracheal mucosal thickness (MTtr) were measured in 10 anesthetized sheep. Arteries to the cervical trachea were isolated, and blood flow (Qtr) was measured with an electromagnetic flow probe. Simultaneous changes in MTtr were measured with a mechanical probe over a fixed cartilage. Arterial injections of phenylephrine produced dose-related falls in Qtr and MTtr with a maximum peak fall in MTtr of -104 +/- 18 (SE) microns. Methacholine, bradykinin, albuterol, and histamine produced dose-related increases in Qtr. The largest peak increase in MTtr of 308 +/- 121 microns was seen with bradykinin. For methacholine, albuterol, and histamine the largest increases in MTtr were 154 +/- 47, 45 +/- 10, and 153 +/- 31 microns, respectively. The increases in MTtr were not always closely dose related. The peak changes in MTtr occurred substantially later than those in Qtr for all the drugs and up to 120 s later for methacholine and bradykinin. Generally, changes in MTtr and Qtr persisted for less than 10 min; at the higher doses of bradykinin increases in MTtr lasted for up to 15 min. Changes in MTtr were most closely associated in time with changes in Qtr for the vasoconstrictor phenylephrine. These changes in MTtr would alter airway resistance little in the normal trachea and by substantially more in smaller airways such as the bronchi or in the narrowed trachea. Changes in mucosal thickness may be due not only to changes in tracheal blood volume but may also reflect the effects of tissue edema and mucus secretion.

Laser Doppler velocimetry of tracheal blood flow in sheep

A laser-Doppler velocimetry (LDV) apparatus was adapted to assess sheep airway blood flow. The LDV signal obtained was compared to microsphere determinations of blood flow to tracheal tissues utilizing 15 μm radioactive microspheres injected before and after intubation and anesthesia, during hemorrhagic hypotension, and after reinfusion-resuscitation. During hemorrhagic hypotension, airway wall blood flow decreased to 16% of control by the microsphere method and to 30% by LDV. After reinfusion-resuscitation, airway wall blood flow increased over control values 40% and 33% by the two methods, respectively. Although at low flows LDV values were greater than microsphere determinations, the overall LDV recordings correlated with airway microsphere flow determinations of tracheal wall blood flow ( R = 0.85 ) and tracheal mucosa flow ( R = 0.81 ), but not with tracheal muscularis flow ( R = 0.32 ). With certain but significant limitations, such as calibration in absolute units, stability of position placement, motion artifacts, and the effects of mechanical irritation-induced hyperemia, LDV represents a relatively noninvasive means for qualitatively evaluating changes in the microcirculatory blood flow of airway mucosa.

Effect of feeding on hepatic and portal blood flow in sheep

Changes in total hepatic and portal blood flow rates with feeding were observed during 24 hr in sheep by means of the para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) dilution method because there is little quantitative information on changes in blood passing through the liver. Blood flow rates in both veins increased significantly (P < 0.05) after the beginning of feeding while hepatic arterial blood flow tended to increase but was not statistically significant. Total blood volume passing through the liver was 4303 ± 2331/d (93.6 ± 7.21/kg BW/d) with contributions of hepatic arterial and portal venous blood being 21% and 79% of total daily hepatic blood flow in sheep, respectively.

Comparative study of the pharmacokinetics of alfentanil in rabbits, sheep, and dogs

SUMMARY The central arterial pharmacokinetics of alfentanil, a short-acting opioid agonist, were studied in rabbits, sheep, and dogs after short-duration infusion of the drug. Alfentanil was infused until a set end point (high-amplitude, slow-wave activity on the eeg) was reached. This required a larger alfentanil dose and a higher alfentanil arterial concentration in sheep, compared with rabbits and dogs. The plasma concentration-time data for each animal were fitted, using nonlinear regression, and in all animals, were best described by use of a triexponential function. In this study, differences in the disposition kinetics of alfentanil among the 3 species were found for only distribution clearance and initial distribution halflife. In dogs, compared with rabbits and sheep, the first distribution half-life was longer, probably because of pronounced drug-induced bradycardia (mean ± SD, 48 ± 21 beats/min). Distribution clearance was faster in sheep, compared with dogs, also probably because of better blood flow in sheep. Elimination half-life was similar in all species (rabbits, 62.4 ± 11.3 minutes; sheep, 65.1 ± 27.1 minutes; dogs, 58.3 ± 10.3 minutes). This rapid half-life resulted from a small steady-state volume of distribution (rabbits, 908.3 ± 269.0 ml/kg; sheep, 720.0 ± 306.7 ml/ kg; dogs, 597.7 ± 290.2 ml/kg) and rapid systemic clearance (rabbits, 19.4 ± 5.3 ml/min/kg; sheep, 13.3 ± 3.0 ml/min/kg; dogs, 18.7 ± 7.5 ml/min/kg). On the basis of these pharmacokinetic variables, alfentanil should have short duration of action in rabbits, sheep, and dogs. This may be beneficial in veterinary practice where rapid recovery would be expected after bolus administration for short procedures or after infusion for longer procedures.

Measurement of airway wall blood flow in sheep by laser-Doppler flowmetry: interpretation and problems

We have used laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF), a technique that detects movement of erythrocytes, to measure tracheal and bronchial wall blood flow in anesthetized open-chest sheep. LDF derives continuous measurements noninvasively, although fiber-optic bronchoscopy is necessary to introduce the LDF probe into the airways. The response of the LDF flow signals at four regions of the airway walls to varying bronchial arterial flow rates was examined in both live and dead sheep by cannulation and subsequent perfusion of the common bronchial artery at different flow rates by use of a roller pump. In the live sheep, variations in bronchial arterial blood flow resulted in variations in LDF signals in the principal bronchus and in lobar and segmental bronchi but not in the trachea. In the dead sheep, variations in bronchial arterial blood flow resulted in variations in LDF signals in all four regions. Within regions, the average response of the LDF signals to varying bronchial blood flow rates was approximately linear in both live and dead sheep, but considerable site-to-site variation in response was observed. In the live sheep, significant LDF signals were observed when the bronchial arterial flow was set to zero and when the bronchial artery was perfused with dextran solution, which would in theory be expected to produce no LDF signal. A small LDF signal was also detected under zero flow conditions in the dead sheep. These observations suggest that the LDF technique, in addition to detecting blood flow from the bronchial artery also detects background noise and/or collateral circulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Twenty-four-hour Profiles of Hepatic Blood Flow in Sheep

Twenty-four-hour Profiles of Hepatic Blood Flow in Sheep