Asymmetry in the vagal preganglionic control of ventricular function

Previous data from this laboratory and others indicate that there is an asymmetry in the distribution of neurons within the nucleus ambiguus (NA) which project to different intracardiac postganglionic sites and hence influence the control of varying aspects of cardiac performance. Thus, for example, the distribution of vagal parasympathetic preganglionic (VPG) neurons which control cardiac rate is bilateral but weighted in favor of the right NA, conversely the distribution of VPG neurons which control AV conduction is weighed to the left NA. We had previously reported that the largest intracardiac ganglion is found within the septal myocardium which we refer to as the interventriculoseptal ganglion (IVSg). This ganglion provides the primary innervation to the right ventricle and contributes significantly to the left ventricle as well. We have tested the hypothesis that there may be asymmetry to the VPG control of the IVSg. CTB-HRP was injected in the pericardial space for non specific control of our trace...