Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2026

Surgical Placement of Catheters for Long-term Cardiovascular Exercise Testing in Swine
Published on: February 9, 2016
Cardiovascular responses to adrenergic agents in different acclimation states in the rock pigeon (Columba livia)
1Department of Cell and Animal Biology, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. eshel@vms.huji.ac.il
Abstract:
The effect of propranolol on heart rate (fH) was measured in season-acclimatized pigeons. Propranolol treatment decreased fH in winter-acclimatized pigeons, accelerated fH in summer-acclimatized pigeons, but had no effect on fH in spring-acclimatized pigeons. The effect of propranolol in summer-acclimatized pigeons is opposite to that observed in mammals. Interestingly, isoproterenol produced a propranolol-like cardioacceleration in heat-acclimated pigeons. We suggest that propranolol affects fH in summer-acclimatized pigeons via two opposing routes-a direct and a peripheral indirect route. We also suggest that the cardiovascular effects of propranolol are involved in the capacity of the pigeon to evaporate water from its skin.
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Positive and Negative Feedback Loops
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Regulation of Heart Rates
The SNS increases heart rate through the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine, which act on beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart. This action increases the rate of depolarization in the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's...
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Regulation of the Cardiovascular System
The regulation of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS), baroreceptors, and chemoreceptors, ensuring that heart rate and blood pressure are appropriately modulated in response to varying physiological demands.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system enhances...
