Effect of oxygen on blood flow autoregulation in cat sartorius muscle

To assess the role of O2 in blood flow autoregulation, arteriolar diameter and erythrocyte velocity were measured in individual microvessels of the cat sartorius muscle while ambient O2 tension (PO2) and perfusion pressure were altered. The muscle surface was covered with a layer of silicone fluid equilibrated with a gas mixture containing 0--20% O2. Under control conditions (0% O2) all except the largest arterioles dilated with pressure reduction, and all showed significant blood flow autoregulation. Elevated PO2 diminished flow regulation and dilation in large and small arterioles when arterial pressure was reduced. This effect was generally more pronounced in the small arterioles where elevated PO2 caused complete cessation of blood flow. Complete blood flow stoppage was not routinely seen in larger vessels and may reflect the fact that these vessels also supply deeper tissue regions less affected by the change in ambient PO2. Our results indicate that the PO2 level of the tissue may be an important determinant in blood flow autoregulation.