Effects of arterial oxygen tension upon blood flow in the hamster cheek pouch

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston UniversityPLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.The influence of arterial oxygen tension upon microcirculatory blood flow was investigated in the cheek pouch of the golden hamster. Male hamsters weighing from 90 to 110 grams were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital, their cheek pouches were everted and the top layer retracted, and the animals were connected to a respirator by a Y-tube inserted in a tracheal slit. Measurements of blood flow velocity in individual blood vessels of the cheek pouch were made with a visual particle velocity meter. Various gas mixtures (air; 98% O2, 2% CO2; 10% O2, 90% N2) were inspired, and the blood gas tensions and pH measured on blood drawn from the femoral artery. Vessel diameter was measured with an ocular micrometer. [TRUNCATED]2031-01-0