Cutaneous vasomotion during REM sleep in the rabbit's ear, after alpha-receptor blockade.
Cutaneous vasoconstriction in the rabbit's ear during REM sleep in a warm environment is not abolished by alpha-receptor blockade (phenoxybenzamine 6 mg/kg i.v.), thus confirming that the vasomotor response during REM sleep is independent of the activity of circulating catecholamines. The decrease in cardiac output during REM sleep may be responsible for the slight fall in transmural pressure which underlies cutaneous ear vasoconstriction during REM sleep.
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects*; D013696:Temperature; D014661:Vasoconstriction
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine