Increasing aortic baroreceptor sensitivity during reflex inhibition of efferent sympathetic activity.

In experiments with rabbits it was demonstrated that the aortic baroreceptor sensitivity increased during reflex inhibition of efferent sympathetic activity. It is suggested that this effect is mediated by a change in the distensibility of the arterial wall. By changing the wall distensibility the measuring range of baroreceptors may be adjusted to accommodate different pressure levels. In this way baroreceptor function could be adapted simultaneously with changes of the particular set point of the neural cardiovascular control system.