I.G. Davison, G.M. Wright and M.E. DeMont (1995). The Structure
and Physical Properties of Invertebrate and Primitive Vertebrate
Arteries. J. Exp. Biol. 198: 2185-2196.
Summary
Light and electron microscopy and in vitro inflation experiments were
conducted on the aortae of three different invertebrate species: the
lobster Homarus americanus, the horseshoe crab Limulus
polyphemus, and
the whelk Busycon contrarium. Inflation experiments were also
performed
on the aortae of two species of primitive vertebrates, the sea lamprey
Petromyzon marinus and the Atlantic hagfish Myxine
glutinosa. The inflation
experiments demonstrated similar overall biomechanical properties in each
case, despite the existence of differences in tissue structure. The
vessels were compliant at low strains, but demonstrated nonlinear elasticity,
increasing in stiffness as strains increased; this property could act as
protection against artery wall rupture. The vessels of the lamprey, hagfish
and lobster are capable of acting as fairly efficient elastic reservoirs and
of smoothing blood flow during circulation as they had low hysteresis values
(13-18%). The aortae of the horseshoe crab and whelk, if performing this
function, have much higher energy losses, up to more than 30% per cycle.
The microscopy studies of the aortae of the lobster, horseshoe crab and
whelk revealed tissue structures which differ widely from each other as well
as from the structures of the lamprey and hagfish. None of these arteries
contained elastin, but all contained fibrillar material which differed in
appearance, size and arrangement between species. These materials were
conjectured to contribute to the elastic properties of the tissue.
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Edwin DeMont, Associate Professor
Biology Department, St. Francis Xavier University
P.O. Box 5000, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, B2G 2W5 Canada
Voice 902-867-5116 FAX 902-867-2389
edemont@juliet.stfx.ca -
June 18, 1995