Cardiovascular responses during feeding in newborn lambs

We examined the cardiovascular responses to bottle feeding in newborn lambs. Feeding induced a persistent rise in blood pressure, from 76.3 +/- 1.9 mmHg to 114 +/- 3.8 mmHg, that lasted for the duration of the feeding episode. This was accompanied by a transient tachycardia that lasted for approximately 10 s at the beginning of each feeding episode. Vasoconstriction of the hindlimb circulation, the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and adrenal and thyroid glands contributed to the pressor response, whereas changes in skeletal muscle resistance were not statistically significant. Of tissues assessed, only those actively involved in feeding (tongue and esophagus) vasodilated. Feeding tachycardia was greatly inhibited or abolished by the beta-blocker propranolol but the alpha-blocker phentolamine caused only moderate inhibition of the pressor response. Furthermore, chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine delayed the onset of the pressor response but did not abolish the ultimate rise in pressure. These findings indicate that feeding causes a significant pressor response in newborn lambs that is only partially mediated by sympathetic innervation.