Developmental changes in the sensitivity of the chick embryo ventricle to beta-adrenergic agonist during adrenergic innervation

Abstract

As early as the 4th embryonic day, the ventricle of the chick embryo responded to isoproterenol (Iso) with an increase in the force of contraction; at all ages studied, this positive inotropic effect was accompanied by an increased rate of tension development. There was a transient, 10-fold decrease in the sensitivity (increase in ED50) of the right ventricle to Iso between the 16th and 21st embryonic day. This change in the sensitivity to Iso was not due either to an increased inactivation of Iso by non-neuronal cells or to a change in the thickness of the ventricle. It was found that adrenergic nerves were first capable of altering ventricular contractility on the 16th embryonic day. Whereas they interfered with the function of adrenergic nerves, injections of reserpine or 6-hydroxydopamine had no effect on the subsensitivity to Iso. Furthermore, these agents did not affect the normal developmental changes in heart weight. We conclude that the local release of transmitter from adrenergic nerves does not cause the transient subsensitivity of the ventricle of the chick embryo to beta-adrenergic agonists.