Reflex control of splanchnic blood volume in anaesthetized dogs

1. In chloralose-anaesthetized, artificially ventilated dogs, the splenic pedicle was tied and the carotid sinuses were vascularly isolated and perfused at controlled pressures. In Series 1 experiments, the hepatosplanchnic circulation was perfused through the abdominal aorta with a tie on the aorta separating it from the caudal circulation, which was perfused through the femoral arteries. The two circulations were drained from cannulae in the inferior vena cava and the femoral veins, with a tie on the inferior vena cava separating the two. In Series 2, the splanchnic circulation drained from the portal vein. In both series, inflows and outflows were measured and integrated to derive volume changes. Capacitance responses were assessed during constant flow, and capacitance plus passive responses were obtained during constant pressure perfusion. 2. In Series 1, an increase in carotid sinus pressure (from 8 to 26 kPa) during constant flow and constant pressure perfusion increased hepatosplanchnic volume by 2.5 and 5.7 ml (kg body weight)-1, respectively. The volume of the subdiaphragmatic circulation did not increase during constant flow, but during constant pressure it increased by 2.0 ml (kg body weight)-1. 3. In Series 2, increasing carotid pressure during constant flow and constant pressure increased the volume of the splanchnic circulation by 0.5 and 4.2 ml (kg body weight)-1, respectively. 4. These results confirm that carotid baroreceptor stimulation causes larger volume changes during constant pressure perfusion than during constant flow perfusion. Also, the active capacitance change in the splanchnic circulation is small in relation to the passive response. We propose that in dogs (following splenic ligation), the major active capacitance control is from the liver. However, large passive changes in splanchnic volume occur due to changes in flow.