Counter-Current Exchange
SOF
* Counter-current exchange (CCE) occurs when two bodies flow in opposite directions
* The exchange may involve heat or molecules
* The gradient that exists between the two flowing bodies determines total exchange
* The greater the gradient, the greater amount exchanged per unit time (or unit volume)
* The greater the surface area involved, the greater the exchange
* The pampiniform venous plexus (PVP) in the male mammal permits heat transfer
* The male PVP permits heat transfer from the near-by testicular artery to the PVP
* In some females, the utero-ovarian vein and the ovarian artery form a counter-current exchange system
* In some females, PGF2-alpha is transferred from the utero-ovarian vein to the ovarian artery
* The arctic fox uses CCE to keep its feet from freezing
EL
* CCE in reproductive biology
* Figures for above link
* The arctic fox and CCE
* PVP in male
* CCE
* Image of CCE