Microvascular Flow Velocity in Cat Omental Adipose Tissue as Affected by Sympathetic Nerve Stimulation

The effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation on the microvascular red blood cell flow velocity was measured in cat omental adipose tissue. Electrical impulses of 10 V, 0.5–6 Hz were utilized to stimulate the appropriate branch of the splenic nerve. Microvascular velocities were measured in the transilluminated omental bursa in arterioles, capillaries and venules, on‐line, by means of a dual window television system. The responses noted were: 1) decrease in flow (75% of vessels); 2) no response (7%); and 3) increase (18%). The magnitude of the responses were in proportion to the stimulatory frequency. The disparity of responses may be related to previous morphologic observations on the non‐uniformity of innervation of canine subcutaneous adipose tissue. It is proposed that the various vascular reactions reflect the presence of compartments, in the same tissue, endowed with different sympathetic controls. Indexable words. Sympathetic activity, adipose tissue, capillary flow, lipolysis, television microscopy.