ADRENERGIC-INNERVATION OF THE HEART OF THE BAT, MINIOPTERUS-SCHREIBERSII

The adrenergic innervation of the heart of the bat (Miniopterus schrei bersii) was studied with a fluorescence histochemical technique. The a ppearance and distribution pattern of the terminal adrenergic nerve fi bers demonstrated in the atria, sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, and ventricles is typically mammalian. Fine varicose adrenergic fiber s run in and parallel to the ventricular muscle where they are common and uniformly distributed. Indian ink perfusion of the coronary vascul ature demonstrates the high density of vessels in the ventricles, but obscures the terminal innervation of the ventricular muscle. This alon e, or in combination with the apparent seasonal change in the terminal innervation of the ventricles, may explain the inability of previous workers to identify an adrenergic ventricular innervation in the bat N yctalus noctula. The adrenergic ventricular innervation might be invol ved in the large increases in cardiac output associated with the comme ncement of flight and in the massive sympathetic activation that media tes arousal from torpor. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.