Pressure regulation in muscle of unanesthetized bats.

In unanesthetized bats direct microvascular pressure measurements were made in the tensor plagiopatagii muscle without surgical intervention. Pressure recordings showed great variability due to vasomotion and other physiological stimuli, but were in the same order of magnitude as described in muscle of other species in the anesthetized state. A substantial part of the pressure gradient is dissipated at the level of the small arterioles. Arterial pressure was changed by depressurizing a box containing the body of the bat, while the muscle was under atmospheric condition. In all larger arterioles and in 12 of 19 smaller arterioles a linear relation existed between microvascular pressure and box pressure. Of 19 small arterioles, 7 exhibited a clear biphasic regulatory response to a decrease in arterial pressure. The data are discussed in relation to different models of regulation.