Comparing the Superficial Vasculature of the Central Nervous System in Six Laboratory Animals: A Hypothesis About the Role of the “Circle of Willis”

Abstract

We provide images of the entire central nervous system vasculature, and compare the anatomical findings in six different laboratory animals. A detailed understanding of the specific anatomy for each is important in the design of experimental modeling and for understanding the specific function of each target organ. Six different types of animals, the Korean wild mouse, C57BL/6J mouse, F344 rat, mongolian gerbil, Syrian hamsters, and guinea pigs, were included. To stain the blood vessels in each of the animals, Alcian blue reagent was used to perfuse each species. The bifurcation and anastomotic patterns of the anterior cerebral arteries differed in each species. The vascular supply to the olfactory nerve was visualized as a single artery supplying both olfactory nerves, and arteries supplying the lateral portion of the olfactory nerves originating from the olfactory bulb area. The posterior communicating arteries of the six animals demonstrated unique morphologies. The shape of the hypophyseal portal system varied by species. Most animals used in this study had a hexagonal Circle of Willis, except for the Korean wild mouse. Using this approach, we successfully mapped the brain vascular system in six different species of animals. This information and the images created can guide other researchers as Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article.

High-altitude rodents have abundant collaterals that protect against tissue injury after cerebral, coronary and peripheral artery occlusion

“…and rats, including absence of AComs. See literature 59 , 64 – 67 and references therein. Interestingly, 91% of Nepalese have a complete CoW compared to 5–45% in lowlander Indian and other ethnicities.…”

“…Some of these features in the guinea pig have been described or are evident in images from previous studies. [64][65][66][67][68] Deer mice also have a complete, symmetric CoW that is primarily supplied by the ICAs, plus consistent presence of bilateral PComs and an azigos artery (functional equivalent to the ACom), irrespective of altitude status ( Figure 6). We did not examine M.m.…”

Neurovascular description in the South American plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus (Chinchilloidea, Caviomorpha). A study involving evolutionarily related species of Caviomorpha and Muroidea

“…Neurovasculature and blood flow are involved in a wide range of neuropathological processes such as dementias, vasculopathy associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy, intracranial atherosclerosis, and ischemic aneurysms among others (Dorfman et al, 2010; Dozois et al, 2017; Goswami et al, 2020; Zacchigna et al, 2008). In this context, recovery after vascular occlusion depends in part on the anatomical state of CoW, so a better understanding of the neurovascular architecture and its variations is essential (Ashwini et al, 2008; Kim et al, 2019). For this reason, different animal models have been developed for the study of neuropathological and hemodynamic changes, allowing possible implications to be transferred to humans by comparing the results (Dorr et al, 2007; Kim et al, 2017; Pathak et al, 2008).…”

Age-related hearing loss was accelerated by apoptosis of spiral ganglion and stria vascularis cells in ApoE KO mice with hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia

“…Risk factors for the development of ARHL are genetic, heredity, oxidative stress, noise exposure, ototoxic drugs, and vascular degeneration (5)(6)(7)(8)(9). The cochlea has a single arterial supply system with few collateral vessels; thus, this structure is fragile and is considered highly sensitive to vascular changes (10). Recently, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, and hypertension have been reported to promote vascular degeneration (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17).…”