Frequency-dependent baroreflex modulation of blood pressure and heart rate variability in conscious mice

The goal of this study was to determine the baroreflex influence on systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and pulse interval (PI) variability in conscious mice. SAP and PI were measured in C57Bl/6J mice subjected to sinoaortic deafferentation (SAD, n = 21) or sham surgery ( n = 20). Average SAP and PI did not differ in SAD or control mice. In contrast, SAP variance was enhanced (21 ± 4 vs. 9.5 ± 1 mmHg2) and PI variance reduced (8.8 ± 2 vs. 26 ± 6 ms2) in SAD vs. control mice. High-frequency (HF: 1–5 Hz) SAP variability quantified by spectral analysis was greater in SAD (8.5 ± 2.0 mmHg2) compared with control (2.5 ± 0.2 mmHg2) mice, whereas low-frequency (LF: 0.1–1 Hz) SAP variability did not differ between the groups. Conversely, LF PI variability was markedly reduced in SAD mice (0.5 ± 0.1 vs. 10.8 ± 3.4 ms2). LF oscillations in SAP and PI were coherent in control mice (coherence = 0.68 ± 0.05), with changes in SAP leading changes in PI (phase = −1.41 ± 0.06 radians), but were not coherent in SAD mice (coherence = 0.08 ± 0.03). Blockade of parasympathetic drive with atropine decreased average PI, PI variance, and LF and HF PI variability in control ( n = 10) but had no effect in SAD ( n = 6) mice. In control mice, blockade of sympathetic cardiac receptors with propranolol increased average PI and decreased PI variance and LF PI variability ( n = 6). In SAD mice, propranolol increased average PI ( n = 6). In conclusion, baroreflex modulation of PI contributes to LF, but not HF PI variability, and is mediated by both sympathetic and parasympathetic drives in conscious mice.