Coronary microangiography in the guinea pig, rabbit and ferret

Using improved methods, we have developed a microangiographic technique for studying the coronary circulation in Langendorff perfused guinea pig, rabbit and ferret hearts. Striking anatomical differences were observed between these species. In the guinea pig, the interventricular septum was supplied by a large septal artery which always arose from the right coronary artery, whereas in the rabbit and ferret, the septal artery was smaller and originated from the left coronary artery. The circumflex artery was more prominent than the right coronary artery in the ferret and guinea pig, whereas the reverse pertained in the rabbit. Extensive apical collateral connections were observed between terminal branches of the left anterior descending, left ventricular branches and the septal artery in the guinea pig, while collaterals were usually absent in the rabbit and ferret. These species differences in the myocardial blood supply have wide ranging implications regarding the choice of small animals for cardiac research.