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CONTRACTION OF THE SHEEP'S SPLEEN
Author(s) -
Dooley PC,
Hecker JF,
Webster MED
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
australian journal of experimental biology and medical science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0004-945X
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1972.68
Subject(s) - spleen , jugular vein , contraction (grammar) , medicine , respiratory system , endocrinology , biology , anesthesia , chemistry
Summary Changes in the thickness of the spleen and associated alterations in the haemoglobin concentration in jugular venous blood were studied in undisturbed and excited conscious sheep. Decreases in spleen thickness were induced by single injections of adrenaline (1·4 to 35·5 μg/kg), and by disturbance. The increase in jugular vein haemoglobin concentration following splenic contraction returned to control levels after spleen thickness resumed its control value. However, the responses of these two variables differed markedly among sheep both to a given dose of adrenaline and to progressively higher adrenaline dosage. Respiratory events, feeding, changes in rumen pressure and in posture each induced characteristic variations in spleen thickness. No changes in spleen thickness were observed in conscious undisturbed sheep. Neither disturbance nor adrenaline injections altered the jugular haemoglobin concentration in splenectomized sheep.