The ontogeny of white leghorn chicken (Gallus domesticus) blood chemistry changes in response to acute exposure to 10 % O.

The embryonic chicken is a valuable model for studying the maturation of cardiovascular physiology and the responses of this organ system to environmental manipulations such as acute hypoxia. Hypoxia determines not only the general cardiovascular response but also is a tool to determine the system's maturation of reflexive control. Several studies suggest embryonic chicken's regulation of the cardiovascular response to hypoxia, but no studies have measured the blood chemistry changes that accompany these responses.

Short communication: Baroreflex function in embryonic emus (Dromiceius novaehollandiae).

The baroreflex involves cardiovascular homeostatic mechanisms that buffer the system against acute deviations in arterial blood pressure. It is comprised of the cardiac limb which involves adjustments in heart rate and the peripheral limb which involves adjustments in vascular resistance. This negative feedback loop mechanism has been investigated in numerous species of adult vertebrates, however our understanding of the maturation and functional importance of the reflex in developing animals remains poorly understood.

Embryonic developmental oxygen preconditions cardiovascular functional response to acute hypoxic exposure and maximal β-adrenergic stimulation of anesthetized juvenile American alligators ().

The effects of the embryonic environment on juvenile phenotypes are widely recognized. We investigated the effect of embryonic hypoxia on the cardiovascular phenotype of 4-year-old American alligators (). We hypothesized that embryonic 10% O preconditions cardiac function, decreasing the reduction in cardiac contractility associated with acute 5% O exposure in juvenile alligators.

Acute and chronic temperature effects on cardiovascular regulation in the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta).

Acute and chronic changes in ambient temperature alter several aspects of reptilian physiology. We investigated the effects of each type of temperature change on reptilian cardiovascular regulation in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta), a species known to experience marked seasonal changes in ambient temperature. Turtles were instrumented with occlusive catheters in the femoral artery and vein.

Maturation of the angiotensin II cardiovascular response in the embryonic White Leghorn chicken (Gallus gallus).

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is an important regulator of cardiovascular function in adult vertebrates. Although its role in regulating the adult system has been extensively investigated, the cardiovascular response to Ang II in embryonic vertebrates is relatively unknown. We investigated the potential of Ang II as a regulator of cardiovascular function in embryonic chickens, which lack central nervous system control of cardiovascular function throughout the majority of incubation.