Arterial circle of the brain in the common wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to analyze the arterial circle of the brain and rostral epidural rete mirabile in specimens of the common wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). The arterial circle of the brain is a circulatory anastomosis that supplies blood to particular lobes of the brain and surrounding structures. The study was conducted on male and female adults (n = 12) by bilateral injection of an acetone solution of vinyl superchloride or latex LBS3060, which resulted in a cast of arteries of the head and encephalic base. We describe the exact structure of the arterial circle of the brain and rostral epidural rete mirabile. The shape of the arterial circle of the brain in the common wildebeest is heart‐shaped, as in other Bovidae. It is formed by bilateral rostral cerebral arteries, caudal communicating arteries, and the basilar artery, with a general pattern of vessels forming and branching off from the arterial circle of the brain, as described in other ruminants. The rostral cerebral and caudal communicating arteries emerge from an intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery, which in turn arises from vessels of the rostral epidural rete mirabile. This structure, well developed in the examined individuals, has mechanisms underlying selective cooling of the brain, protecting animals from hyperthermia, and affecting body water balance.

A comprehensive study on the arterial vasculature of the brain in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): Clinical correlates

“…The arterial circle of the brain in buffalo is heart‐shaped as reported in Antilopinae and common wildebeest (Frąckowiak et al, 2015; Zdun et al, 2022), while in giraffe, it is roughly triangular (Frąckowiak & Jakubowski, 2008), and in camels, it is similar to the number ‘8’ (Kiełtyka‐Kurc et al, 2014). The current findings revealed that the rostral communicating artery in the buffalo was represented by a network of blood vessels as reported in small ruminants (Alsafy et al, 2017; Kapoor et al, 2003).…”

“…The arterial circle of the brain in buffalo is heart-shaped as reported in Antilopinae and common wildebeest(Frąckowiak et al, 2015;Zdun et al, 2022), while in giraffe, it is roughlyF I G U R E 7 (a,b) Dorsolateral view of the brain showing the rostral cerebral artery (RCA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), rostral choroidal aretery (RChA), caudal cerebral artery (CCA), mesencephalic tectal branches (MTB), rostral cerebellar artery (RCbA), caudal cerebellar artery (CCbA) and optic tract (OT). (c) Caudomedial view of forebrain showing the distribution pattern of caudal cerebral artery (CCA) into rostral branch of CCA (blue arrow), caudal branch of CCA (red arrow) and terminal branches (yellow arrows).…”

“…While in yak, it is U-shaped (Wang et al, 2012). The close relationship between the rostral epidural rete mirabile and the cavernous sinus allows the cooling of the warmer arterial blood flow to the encephalon (Zdun et al, 2022).…”

“…While in yak, it is U‐shaped (Wang et al, 2012). The close relationship between the rostral epidural rete mirabile and the cavernous sinus allows the cooling of the warmer arterial blood flow to the encephalon (Zdun et al, 2022). The well‐developed rostral epidural rete mirabile in Artiodactyla is considered an evolutionary adaptation in the course of blood vessels to protect the brain from the harmful effects of high temperatures (Zdun, 2023).…”

“…Numerous studies have been carried out regarding the arterial vasculature of the mammalian brain in general, and the ruminant brains in particular. These studies include the brain vasculature of different ruminant animals, such as cattle and yaks (Wang et al, 2012), the Bovini tribe (Zdun et al, 2013), ox and sheep (Baldwin, 1964), European bison (Wegrzyn et al, 1983), fallow deer (Brudnicki, 2011), antilopinae (Frąckowiak et al, 2015), common wildebeest (Zdun et al, 2022), goats (Alsafy et al, 2017), camelids (Kiełtyka‐Kurc et al, 2015), primates (Kapoor et al, 2003) and lagomorphs (Kuchinka, 2017). However, a detailed analysis of the distribution of the arterial circle of the brain in the buffalo brain is largely unknown.…”