Abstract
Blood pressure and heart rate and responses to various physiological substances in suncus were characterized and compared with those in mice. The blood pressures of the two species were similar, but the heart rate of suncus (about 400 beat/min) was significantly lower than that of mice. Norepinephrine increased the blood pressure but decreased the heart rate in suncus. The latter was blocked by cervical vagotomy. Sensitivities to acetylcholine and isoproterenol were lower in suncus. These results suggest that regulation of blood pressure and heart rate in suncus is very unique and different from the well-defined system of the rodents.
