Differentiated Interaction between the Hypothalamic Defence Area and Baroreceptor Reflexes

In experiments on cats, the interaction between the oppositely directed hypothalamic defence reaction and the baroreceptor reflexes was analysed with particular regard to the effects on aortic blood flow, left ventricular work load and muscle blood flow. Because of their differentiated interaction — suppression of the baroreceptor reflex effect on the heart with preservation of the reflex modulation of the vascular bed (Djojosugito et al. 1969) — the baroreceptor reflex so modifies the primary defence reaction, with its intense neurogenic drive on the heart, that a greater cardiac output is gained for a given left ventricular work load. This particularly favours muscle blood supply. It follows that such a differentiated interaction between two basically opposite autonomic patterns causes them to act in synergism with respect to efficient cardiovascular performance in states of emergency.