不同妊娠阶段荷斯坦奶牛心率变异性分析

为探讨不同妊娠阶段对荷斯坦奶牛心率变异性的影响,剖析不同妊娠阶段奶牛自主神经系统的特点,在奶牛群中选择健康、处于不同妊娠阶段的的4岁荷斯坦奶牛12头,其中妊娠前期、妊娠中期和妊娠后期各4头。每日7:00、13:00和18:00测定奶牛呼吸数和直肠温度,连续24h记录奶牛心率变异性数据,并采集尿液样品以检测尿液皮质醇及胰岛素含量。结果表明:1)妊娠后期活动量(ACT)、皮质醇、胰岛素显著高于妊娠前期和中期(P<0.05);妊娠中期R-R时序标准差(SD)、高频成分(HF)显著低于妊娠前期及后期(P<0.05);不同妊娠阶段相邻RR间期差值的均方根(RMSSD)、低频成分(LF)均表现显著差异(P<0.05);妊娠前期心率(BPM)、心跳间隔(IBI)分别显著低于和高于妊娠中期、后期(P<0.05);2)奶牛下午BPM、IBI分别显著高于和低于上午、中午(P<0.05),下午LF/HF水平显著高于上午、中午。不同妊娠阶段荷斯坦奶牛直肠温度、呼吸数不存在显著差异。说明:妊娠中后期迷走神经活性减弱,自主神经活性受到抑制,心脏植物神经调节功能减弱,奶牛生产关注妊娠后期的同时也要关注妊娠中期奶牛的健康问题。     

不同妊娠状态伊犁马心率变异性变化规律研究

【目的】研究流产伊犁马与正常分娩伊犁马在妊娠期心率变异性(HRV)的变化规律,以防止不良妊娠结局的发生。【方法】选取妊娠时间为29孕周的伊犁马21匹(其中流产5匹,正常分娩16匹)及7匹空怀伊犁马,分别在妊娠中期第30孕周,妊娠后期第45孕周及分娩前后1天对母马进行24 h HRV采集,包括时域指标:全部R-R间期的平均值(Mean RR)、全部R-R间距的标准差(SDNN)、平均心率(Mean HR)、相邻R-R间期差值的均方根(RMSSD)、相邻R-R间距差＞50 ms的个数(NN50)和相邻R-R-间距差＞50 ms的个数占总心跳次数的百分比(pNN50);频域指标:极低频率(VLF)、低频功率(LF)和高频功率(HF);非线性指标:全部R-R间距的标准差(Y)(SD1)、全部R-R间距的标准差(X)(SD2)。【结果】时域指标中,流产组和正常分娩组Mean RR、SDNN、RMSSD、NN50、pNN50极显著或显著低于空怀组(P＜0.01;P＜0.05),Mean HR极显著高于流产组和正常分娩组(P＜0.01);频域指标中,流产组和正常分娩组HF、LF极显著低于空怀组(P＜0.01),流产组和空怀组母马VLF极显著高于正常分娩组(P＜0.01)。非线性指标中,流产组和正常分娩组SD1和SD2极显著或显著低于空怀组(P＜0.01;P＜0.05),正常分娩组母马SD2/SD1极显著高于流产组和空怀组(P＜0.01)。【结论】伊犁马心率变异性在不同妊娠状态下均呈波动变化,Mean HR、Mean RR、SD2/SD1值在妊娠母马中出现上升,母马在妊娠过程中副交感神经占主导,自主神经系统受到抑制,流产母马VLF指标出现升高,在流产发生前后交感神经占主导,自主神经系统产生兴奋。     

AP液对家兔颈交感神经及迷走神经动作电位的影响

通过电生理学的方法观察到,0.1％盐酸肾上腺素注射液与2％硝酸毛果芸香硷注射液的等量混合液(简称AP液),可使家兔颈交感神经和迷走神经放电呈现同步增强的效应。颈交感神经和迷走神经的动作电位,在注射AP液后5～25min,与注射前相比相差均非常显著(P<0.01);注射后30min,与注射前相差显著(P<0.05);至70min时,恢复到注射前水平。据此实验结果,提出了植物神经高阈平衡的观点。     

泌乳前期奶牛在不同采食水平下产奶性能及血清指标的差异比较

为了研究不同采食水平下泌乳前期奶牛产奶量、乳成分及血清指标的差异,从40头健康泌乳前期奶牛中选取18头,分高采食量(HF)组(平均采食量为53.67 kg/d)、中采食量(MF)组(平均采食量为48.55 kg/d)和低采食量(LF)组(平均采食量为44.15 kg/d),每组各6头,在相同的条件下饲养,试验期70 d,每周记录产奶量并采集奶样(50 mL),分别于试验开始、第30和60天采集血样。结果显示:与LF组相比,MF组、HF组的产奶量分别增加了4.79 kg、9.83 kg(P0.05),MF组、HF组的4%标准乳分别增加了5.94 kg(P0.05)、9.8 kg(P0.05),HF组的尿素氮下降了10.21%(P0.05);HF组的白蛋白、甘油三酯含量随采食水平显著升高(P0.05);MF组、HF组的游离脂肪酸、总胆固醇、胰岛素显著高于LF组(P0.05);HF组的胰岛素样生长因子、神经肽的含量显著高于MF组和LF组(P0.05);LF组的胆囊收缩素含量显著高于MF组和HF组(P0.05)。结果表明:高采食量的奶牛不仅产奶量高,营养物质和能量代谢快,而且与采食调控和能量代谢相关的生化指标和激素含量要比低采食奶牛变化更显著,为研究采食量调控提供科学依据。     

缺氧、肺动脉高压、心脏功能与肉鸡腹水综合征的关系

为阐明缺氧、肺动脉高压、心脏功能与肉鸡腹水综合征 (ascites syndrome,AS)之间的关系 ,比较了正常肉鸡、亚临床腹水鸡和腹水鸡的右心室平均压 (m RVP)、平均肺动脉压 (m PAP)、心电图 导联 S波幅 (L ead S)、红细胞压积(HCT)、动脉血血氧饱和度 (Sa O2 )、心率 (HR)和右心肥大指数 (RV/ TV) ,并对这些指标进行相关分析和回归分析。结果表明 :在 AS的发展过程中 ,m RVP、m PAP、L ead S、HCT和 RV/ TV逐渐升高 ,HR和 Sa O2 逐渐下降 ;各指标相互之间的相关性都很高 (P<0 .0 0 1) ;HCT发生变化较其他指标早。此外 ,亚临床腹水鸡的左心室和体质量的比值 (L V/BW)及全心室和体质量的比值 (TV/ BW)最高 ,与腹水鸡的 L V/ BW值差异显著 (P<0 .0 5 ) ;正常鸡的 TV/ BW最低 ,与亚临床腹水鸡的差异显著 (P<0 .0 5 )。结果说明肺动脉压升高与机体慢性缺氧有关 ,且是造成右心肥大衰竭和 AS的原因 ;AS发展早期肉鸡心脏功能是代偿性增加的 ;m RVP、m PAP、L ead S、HCT和 Sa O2 可作为早期诊断、预测AS的指标。     

川芎水煎醇沉液对家兔动脉血压及心率的影响

采用动脉血压直接测定方法观察不同剂量的川芎水煎醇沉液对家兔动脉血压及心率的影响。将家兔麻醉,分别耳缘静脉注射1g/kg、2 g/kg、4 g/kg剂量的川芎水煎醇沉液,通过BL-420E生物信号采集系统分别记录家兔给药前后收缩压、舒张压和脉压的变化。结果显示,与用药前比较,各剂量处理后家兔收缩压均有显著上升(P0.01),高剂量组随药物作用时间延长收缩压降低。各剂量处理后家兔舒张压均有显著降低(P0.01),高剂量组处理后动脉压均明显增加(P0.01),且2 g/kg川芎水煎醇沉液可使家兔的动脉压明显提高;心率随给药剂量的增加而显著降低(P0.01)。提示川芎水煎醇沉液对家兔有降压作用,各剂量组收缩压升高,舒张压降低,动脉压升高,心率降低。     

针刺肾旁穴对母兔血浆中生殖激素及相关生物活性物质的影响

为了从生物活性物质角度阐明针刺调节生殖内分泌功能的作用机理,选用16只雌性家兔,应用无针脉冲电刺激发情雌性家兔与生殖相关的腧穴-肾旁穴,采用高效液相色谱-电化学检测法和放射免疫分析法,检测了针刺前30min和针刺后80min母兔血浆中生殖激素17β-雌二醇(17β-E2)、孕酮(P4)水平,以及生物活性物质去甲肾上腺素(NE)、肾上腺素(E)、多巴胺(DA)和5-羟色胺(5-HT)的浓度。结果表明,针刺后血浆中NE含量极显著升高(P<0.001),E含量显著升高(P<0.05),DA和5-HT含量亦显著升高(P<0.05)。提示针刺能够调节与生殖相关的生物活性物质的分泌,引起相关生物活性物质的变化,证实了针刺调节母兔生殖功能中间环节的物质基础。     

荷斯坦牛高、低乳脂率牛乳代谢组分析

旨在筛选牛乳不同乳脂水平潜在标志性差异代谢物。本研究中乳样采自宁夏农垦贺兰山奶业茂盛牧场,采集体重与月龄相近且健康的头胎次荷斯坦牛泌乳中后期(180~210 d)的早、中、晚班次新鲜乳样(4∶3∶3混合)245份。DHI测定后筛选体细胞数低于20万个·mL^-1,乳脂率具有极端差异的样品26份,其中乳脂率大于4.4%为高乳脂率组(HF组,13份),乳脂率小于3.0%为低乳脂率组(LF组,13份)。之后采用超高效液相色谱-质谱法(UHPLC-MS)对样品进行代谢组学分析。偏最小二乘法-判别分析(PLS-DA)结果显示,相对于LF组,HF组代谢轮廓发生了变化,在HF与LF两组中共鉴定出343种代谢产物,根据VIP值(VIP>1)和单变量统计分析(P<0.05),正、负离子模式下共筛选出60种显著差异代谢物(P<0.05);其中依据P<0.5且FC>2.0及P<0.5且FC<0.5,HF组奶样中15种代谢物含量高于LF组,6种代谢物含量低于LF组;进一步通过ROC曲线下面积AUC>0.85,发现有18种差异代谢物对两组牛乳具有显著区别能力,即：N-油酰甘氨酸、皮质醇、δ-生育酚、PC(14∶0e/9∶0)。结果发现,不同乳脂水平显著差异代谢物有60种,且代谢物N-油酰甘氨酸、皮质醇、δ-生育酚、PC(14∶0e/9∶0)可作为高乳脂率牛乳潜在标志性差异代谢物。本研究结果为奶牛乳脂合成提供了有价值的理论依据,同时也为研究奶牛的泌乳过程提供了资料。     

电针“足三里”穴及刺激中脑导水管周围灰质对家兔结肠电的影响

以家兔近端结肠电的基本活动规律为指标,观察了电针足“三里”穴及刺激中脑导水管周围灰质(PAG)对近端结肠电的影响,同时对比观察了损毁部分PAG对电针效应的影响。结果:(1)在禁食、轻度麻醉状态下,近端结肠电慢波振幅为206±156μV,频率为14.9±1.7Hz,慢波上载有快波;(2)电针“足三里”穴对结肠电有抑制或兴奋效应,当有快渡活动时,主要呈现慢波振幅增加效应,有时也增加快波的振幅和幅度;而当没有快波活动时,电针主要减低慢波振幅。上述电针的作用可持续10～45min;(3)对44个pAG刺激点刺激的结果显示,16个点为结肠电兴奋点;13个为结肠电抑制点,而15个点为无效点。其中兴奋效应的潜伏期为1.1±0.95min,可持续2.45±1.4min;抑制效应的潜伏期为0.6±0.5min,可持续2.9±1.3min;(4)5只家兔损毁部分PAG后,电针效应减少23.8±16.6％。     

中脑导水管周围灰质(PAG)对人工发情家兔子宫平滑肌电活动的影响

在急性实验条件下,以爆发波(BW)的频率、波宽、峰电位数、峰电位频率、幅值及单波的幅值、频率为指标,观察电刺激PAG外侧区或背侧区及外侧区注射雌激素对人工发情家兔子宫平滑肌电活动的影响。结果:1.刺激PAG外侧区后,子宫颈、体、角BW频率和峰电位频率增加非常显著,岭电位数增加显著;子宫颈、体BW波宽,颈、角的幅值增加显著。2.电刺激PAG背侧区后,子宫平滑肌电活动无明显变化。3.向PAG外侧区注入雌激素后,子宫颈、休、角平滑肌BW频率和峰电位频率减少非常显著。以上结果表明:PAG外侧区参与子宫活动的调节,将侧区对此无作用。雌激素在PAG外侧区对发情家兔子宫平滑肌电活动有负反馈调节作用。     

Changes in heart rate and heart rate variability in Thoroughbreds during prolonged road transportation

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether evaluation of heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) during prolonged road transportation in horses provides a sensitive index of autonomic stimulation. ANIMALS: Five 2-year-old Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: ECGs were recorded as horses were transported for 21 hours in a 9-horse van. Heart rate, high-frequency (HF) power, low-frequency (LF) power, and LF-to-HF ratio from Fourier spectral analyses of ECGs were calculated and compared with values recorded during a 24-hour period of stall rest preceding transportation. RESULTS: HR, HF power, and LF power had diurnal rhythms during stall rest but not during road transportation. Heart rate was higher and HF power and LF power lower during road transportation than stall rest, and HR, HF power, LF power, and LF-to-HF ratio all decreased with time during road transportation. Heart rate during stall rest was weakly and inversely associated with LF power, but during road transportation was strongly associated with LF power, HF power, and LF-to-HF ratio. Neither LF power nor HF power was correlated with LF-to-HF ratio during stall rest, but LF power was strongly and HF power weakly correlated with LF-to-HF ratio during road transportation. High-frequency power and LF power were significantly correlated with each other during stall rest and road transportation. Heart rate was significantly influenced by LF power and LF-to-HF ratio during stall rest (R(2) = 0.40) and by HF power and LF-to-HF ratio during road transportation (R(2) = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: HR is influenced by different sympathovagal mechanisms during stall rest, compared with during road transportation; HRV may be a sensitive indicator of stress in transported horses.     

The effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation on rhythm of autonomic nervous system in dogs

Effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation on the rhythm of the autonomic nervous system in dogs were studied. Six healthy beagles were used in this study. Each dog was separately kept in a cage, and repeatedly exposed to light for 12 hr and dark for 12 hr alternately. Fixed subject dogs were stimulated by use of 5-V, 250-musec, 2-Hz biphasic square pulses for 15 min at the Xuan Shu (GV-5) and Bai Hui (GV-20) points on the spine. After EA stimulation, electrocardiogram was recorded for 24 hr. From the electrocardiogram data, the heart rate (HR), coefficient of variation in the R-R intervals (CVRR; index of autonomic nervous activity), power of high frequency component (HF; index of vagal nervous activity), and ratio of powers of the low and high frequency components (LF/HF; index of sympathetic nervous activity) were obtained. Cosinor analysis demonstrated that these indices exhibited a significant rhythmicity (P<0.05), irrespective of EA stimulation. In LF/HF, EA stimulation advanced the acrophase (from 22:55 to 21:33, P=0.012), and elevated the midline-estimating statistic of rhythm (from 0.653 to 0.725, P=0.006). However, there was no significant difference in HR, CVRR, or HF. In conclusion, EA stimulation markedly influenced the rhythm of sympathetic nervous system in dogs.     

Effects of initial handling and training on autonomic nervous function in young Thoroughbreds

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of initial handling and training on autonomic nervous functions in young Thoroughbreds. ANIMALS: 63 healthy Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: All horses were trained to be handled and initially ridden in September of the yearling year and then trained until the following April by conventional training regimens. To obtain the heart rate (HR), electrocardiograms were recorded in the stable before initial handling and training and following 7 months of training; variations in HR were then evaluated from the power spectrum in terms of the low frequency (LF; 0.01 to 0.07 Hz) power and high frequency (HF; 0.07 to 0.6 Hz) power as indices of autonomic nervous activity. To evaluate the fitness, the V200 (velocity at HR of 200 beat/min), which is reflective of the aerobic capacity of the horse, was measured. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SE) resting HR decreased significantly from 41.5 +/- 0.8 to 38.7 +/- 0.4 beat/min following 7 months of training. The LF power of horses increased significantly from 1,037 +/- 128 milliseconds2 in September of the yearling year to 2,944 +/- 223 milliseconds2 in the following April. Similarly, the HF power increased significantly from 326 +/- 30 milliseconds2 to 576 +/- 39 milliseconds2 at the corresponding time points. The V200 increased significantly following training. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increases in LF and HF powers indicate that parasympathetic nervous activity increases in horses by 7 months of training. The decrease in resting HR may be dependent on the training-induced increase of parasympathetic nervous activity in Thoroughbreds.     

The Effect of Training on Yili Horse 1 600 m Test Results and Heart Rate Variability

【Objective】 The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of different training stages on the performance and heart rate variability(HRV) of Yili horses and to provide data for reference in the conditioning training of 1 600 m distance Yili horses.【Method】 Eight 3-year-old Yili horses (stallions) were selected as test subjects.A 3-month speed specific performance training program was conducted, and a speed test race was organized in the last week of each month of training, and HRV was collected before, immediately after, 0.5 h after, and 1 h after 1 600 m test race.Among them, the time-domain indexes included the mean of all R-R intervals (Mean RR), the standard deviation of all R-R intervals (SDNN), the mean heart rate (Mean HR), the root mean square of the difference between adjacent R-R intervals (RMSSD), the number of adjacent R-R intervals with a difference greater than 50 ms (NN50), and the percentage of adjacent R-R intervals with a difference greater than 50 ms to the total number of heartbeats (pNN50).Frequency domain metrics included very low frequency (VLF), low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF) and nonlinear metrics:standard deviation (Y) of all R-R-spacing (SD1), standard deviation (X) of all R-R-spacing (SD2).Consequently, the variability of HRV indexes in horses at different training stages was analyzed.【Result】 The race time in the post training period in 1 600 m speed test race of Yili horses was significantly lower than that in the early training period (P<0.05), and Mean RR, NN50 and pNN50 in the middle and post training periods were significantly lower than that in the early training period (P<0.05).Mean HR in the beginning of training was significantly lower than that in post training (P<0.05).VLF and LF in the end of training were significantly lower than that in the beginning of training (P<0.05).【Conclusion】 Under the conditions of this test, the HRV indexes of 1 600 m test race of Yili horses in different conditioning training stages were analyzed.The outcomes demonstrated that the types of neural activity in Yili horses at the beginning, middle and end of training presented some differences, showing changes of increased sympathetic excitability and decreased parasympathetic excitability, and the horses' athletic performance improved.Therefore, HRV could be considered as an effective tool to evaluate the training load and intensity of Yili horses during training.     

Effects of repeated atropine injection on heart rate variability in Thoroughbred horses.

To investigate the effects of repeated atropine injection on heart rate (HR) variability in resting Thoroughbred horses, two microg/ kg of atropine as parasympathetic nervous blockade was injected intravenously every 6 min to a total of 8 microg/kg after intravenous administration of 0.2 mg/kg of propranolol as sympathetic nervous blockade. We recorded electrocardiograms and obtained the HR, then evaluated variation in HR from the power spectrum in terms of low frequency (LF, 0.01-0.07 Hz) power and high frequency (HF, 0.07-0.6 Hz) power. Administration of atropine decreased parasympathetic nervous activity in a dose-dependent manner, affecting first the LF power, then the HF power and finally HR. These responses may provide valuable information for evaluating autonomic nervous activity in Thoroughbred horses.     

Changes in heart rate variability in horses during immersion in warm springwater

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of immersion in warm springwater (38 degrees to 40 degrees C) on autonomic nervous activity in horses. ANIMALS: 10 male Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: Electrocardiograms were recorded from horses for 15 minutes during a warm springwater bath after being recorded for 15 minutes during stall rest. Variations in heart rate (HR) were evaluated from the power spectrum in terms of low frequency (LF, 0.01 to 0.07 Hz) power and high frequency (HF, 0.07 to 0.6 Hz) power as indices of autonomic nervous activity. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SE) HR during stall rest and immersion in warm springwater was 31.1 +/- 1.7 and 30.3 +/- 1.0 beat/min, respectively. No significant difference was found between the HR recorded during stall rest and that recorded during immersion in warm springwater. The HF power significantly increased from 1,361 +/- 466 milliseconds2 during stall rest to 2,344 +/- 720 milliseconds2 during immersion in warm springwater. The LF power during stall rest and immersion in warm springwater was 3,847 +/- 663 and 5,120 +/- 1,094 milliseconds2, respectively, and were not significantly different from each other. Similarly, the LF:HF ratio did not change during immersion in warm springwater. The frequency of second-degree atrioventricular block, which was observed in 2 horses, increased during immersion in warm springwater, compared with during stall rest. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increases in HF power indicates that the parasympathetic nervous activity in horses increases during immersion in warm springwater. Thus, immersion in warm springwater may provide a means of relaxation for horses.     

The influence of spasmolytic agents on heart rate variability and gastrointestinal motility in normal horses

The effects of hyoscine-N-butylbromide (hyoscine) and propantheline-bromide (propantheline) on heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV) and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) contractions in the normal horse were determined. Five adult horses had ECG recordings for 180min after treatment with propantheline (100mg), hyoscine (120mg) or saline. Both propantheline and hyoscine reduced GIT sounds, with propantheline having a longer duration of effect (?120min). Both drugs elevated HR relative to the control baseline period (P<0.05), with the effects of propantheline again being of longer duration. HRV analysis indicated that propantheline suppressed Total Power (P<0.05), and both the high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) components of the power spectral analysis for up to 60-90min post treatment. Hyoscine had no effect on HRV Total Power but reduced the HF component for 30min after drug injection. Time domain variables correlated with Total Power and HF data (P<0.01). The marked effect of these compounds on parasympathetic control of cardiac and GIT function in normal horses should be taken into consideration when evaluating a clinical response to these agents.     

Spectral analysis of circadian rhythms in heart rate variability of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine characteristics of power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) during a 24-hour period in dogs and to evaluate the effects of vagal and sympathetic tone on HRV ANIMALS: 16 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURE: Power spectral analysis of HRV was conducted, using 24-hour ambulatory ECG recordings. Circadian rhythms were evaluated in terms of absolute units of low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) powers, their ratio (LF:HF), and their adjusted (normalized) units (LF[norm] and HF[norm]). Three or 4 dogs were used for simultaneous measurement of heart rate and respiratory waveform as well as to evaluate treatment (propranolol, atropine, or both) administered to cause blockade of the autonomic nervous system. RESULTS: Values for LF and HF powers, LF:HF, LF(norm), and HF(norm) had obvious rhythmicity in clinically normal dogs. The HF power of HRV in dogs was extremely high, compared with that of other species, and HF peaks corresponded to peaks obtained from respiratory waveforms. Blockade of the autonomic nervous system documented that HRV in dogs was mostly attributable to vagal activity. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We determined characteristics of power spectral analysis of HRV in dogs, including circadian rhythm of the autonomic nervous system. Power spectral analysis of HRV may provide a useful noninvasive technique for assessing the effect of drugs on activity of the autonomic nervous system in dogs.     

Cardiovascular effects of vasopressors in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs before and after hemorrhage

Exogenously administered vasopressors (sympathomimetics) were evaluated in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs to determine the effects of these drugs on cardiovascular function before and after hemorrhage. Six dogs were anesthetized with thiamylal sodium (20 mg/kg of body weight) and isoflurane (1.25 minimal alveolar concentration) in 100% oxygen. After instrumentation, cardiac output, systemic arterial blood pressure, heart rate (HR), left ventricular pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, and an index of cardiac contractility (dP/dT) were measured. Stroke volume, cardiac index (CI), stroke index (SI), rate-pressure product, and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were calculated. Epinephrine (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 micrograms/kg/min [low, medium, and high doses, respectively]) and dobutamine (1, 5, and 10 micrograms/kg/min [low, medium, and high doses, respectively]) were infused. Methoxamine was given in a bolus of 0.22 mg/kg, IV. All measurements were taken at 2.5 minutes after infusion, and were repeated after removal of 40% of the estimated blood volume. Before hemorrhage, administration of high doses of dobutamine and medium and high doses of epinephrine were equally effective at increasing CI and SI. The dP/dT was increased to the greatest degree by administration of high doses of dobutamine. Administration of the low dose of dobutamine increased dP/dT, whereas administration of the low dose of epinephrine increased CI, HR, and SI, and decreased SVR. The HR and SVR were not increased by administration of any dose of dobutamine or of the medium and high doses of epinephrine. However, methoxamine increased SVR and decreased HR. Methoxamine decreased CI, SI, and dP/dT, but increased systemic arterial pressure to the same degree as that attributed to administration of high doses of dobutamine and epinephrine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)