On the adrenergic system of ganoid fish: the beluga, Huso huso (Chondrostei)

The adrenergic system of the beluga, Huso huso, was studied by glyoxylic acid fluorescence histochemistry, analyses of catecholamine content in various organs and studies of the effects of acetylcholine and adrenaline on isolated strip preparations from blood vessels, spleen, atrium and ventricle. Chromaffin cells were found mainly in the walls of the posterior cardinal veins, and to some extent also in the wall of the celiaco-mesenteric artery. The plasma concentration of adrenaline was high enough to affect the contraction force of the isolated atrial and ventricular strips, thus adding an adrenergic component to a possible cholinergic inhibitory vagal control of the heart. Fluorescence histochemistry revealed no direct adrenergic innervation of the heart, but blood vessels in the heart and elsewhere received a rich supply of adrenergic nerve terminals. Adrenaline contracted the celiaco-mesenteric artery and the spleen, and produced positive inotropic effects on the paced atrial and ventricular strip preparations. Acetylcholine contracted the ventral aorta and the celiaco-mesenteric artery, and reduced the contraction force of paced ventricular and, especially, atrial preparations. It is concluded that the beluga has a well developed adrenergic system consisting of both chromaffin cells and adrenergic neurons with varicose nerve terminals of the type found in the higher vertebrates.