Influence of adrenergic innervation on vascular growth and mature characteristics.

Sympathetic nerve control of systemic and pulmonary vasculatures is discussed. The effect of removal of the nerve influence postnatally and subsequent development of arterial structure and function is contrasted with denervation in the adult, with reference to the rabbit ear and rat mesenteric arterial vasculature. Evidence is given that sympathetic nerves exert a trophic effect on vascular structure and function, particularly during growth that is associated with nerve activity.