CARDIOVASCULAR ADAPTATIONS ENHANCE TOLERANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYPOXIA IN THE CRAB CANCER MAGISTER

1994 ◽  
Vol 190 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Airriess ◽  
B Mcmahon

Unrestrained crabs instrumented with probes for ultrasonic measurement of arterial haemolymph flow were subjected to 6 h of hypoxic exposure. During this interval, the inhalant O2 partial pressure was reduced in steps from 18 to 3 kPa. Measurement of haemolymph flow through all arteries leaving the heart allowed direct calculation of cardiac output, stroke volume and the distribution of cardiac output for both non-stressed and hypoxic animals. Resting levels of cardiac output were low compared with previously reported values for this and other species of decapod crustaceans. During exposure to the most severe level of hypoxia tested, haemolymph flow through the anterior arteries decreased while flow through the posterior aorta and sternal artery increased by 55 % and 27 % respectively. Cardiac output increased from a control value of 9.8±1.6 to 11.9±1.2 ml kg-1 min-1 despite a decrease in heart-beat frequency. Scaphognathite beat frequency increased from 82.1±4.3 min-1 to more than 120 min-1 after 90 min of hypoxic exposure and remained at this level for the duration of the exposure period. The decrease in haemolymph flow, via the anterior arteries, to the antero-dorsal region of the animal concurrent with an increase in flow to the posterior and antero-ventral regions, via the posterior aorta and sternal artery, implicates an active mechanism for redistribution of haemolymph flow during hypoxic exposure. The high rate of scaphognathite pumping, presumably to maximise O2 uptake during experimental hypoxia, was probably made possible by an increased blood supply to these organs, which are perfused by downstream branches of the sternal artery.

1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (3) ◽  
pp. 569-578
Author(s):  
C Airriess ◽  
B Mcmahon

Changes in cardiac function and arterial haemolymph flow associated with 6 h of emersion were investigated in the crab Cancer magister using an ultrasonic flowmeter. This species is usually found sublittorally but, owing to the large-scale horizontal water movements associated with extreme tides, C. magister may occasionally become stranded on the beach. Laboratory experiments were designed such that the emersion period was typical of those that might be experienced by this crab in its natural environment. The frequency of the heart beat began to decline sharply almost immediately after the start of the experimental emersion period. Cardiac stroke volume fell more gradually. The combined reduction in these two variables led to a maximum decrease in cardiac output of more than 70 % from the control rate. Haemolymph flow through all the arteries originating at the heart, with the exception of the anterior aorta, also declined markedly during emersion. As the water level in the experimental chamber fell below the inhalant branchial openings, a stereotypical, dramatic increase in haemolymph flow through the anterior aorta began and this continued for the duration of the emersion period. The rapid time course of the decline in heart-beat frequency and the increase in haemolymph flow through the anterior aorta suggest a neural mechanism responding to the absence of ventilatory water in the branchial chambers. These responses may be adaptations, respectively, to conserve energy by reducing the minute volume of haemolymph pumped by the heart and to protect the supply of haemolymph to cephalic elements of the central nervous system. The decline in cardiac stroke volume, which occurs more slowly over the emersion period, may be a passive result of the failure to supply sufficient O2 to meet the aerobic demands of the cardiac ganglion.


1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (3) ◽  
pp. 627-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Wachter ◽  
B Mcmahon

Adult male Cancer magister (Dana) were equipped with pulsed-Doppler flowmeters and pressure transducers for simultaneous measurement of heart and ventilation frequencies, haemolymph flow through each of the major arterial systems and cardiac output and for calculation of stroke volume. Each variable was measured at rest and during two consecutive periods of moderate treadmill walking activity and recovery. During activity, haemolymph flow through the sternal and anterolateral arteries increased, while flow through the hepatic arterial system decreased. This resulted in a redistribution of haemolymph flow in which a proportion of cardiac output was shifted from the anterior, posterior and hepatic arterial systems to the sternal arterial system. The relative proportion of the cardiac output flowing through the anterolateral artery remained constant. This indicated that oxygen supply was shifted away from the digestive system to the muscles of the walking legs and the respiratory system. Cardiac output, heart rate and stroke volume all increased in response to activity. The increase in cardiac output is the result of a large increase in stroke volume and a small increase in heart rate. A doubling of ventilation rate also occurred during activity. Both the circulatory and ventilatory systems were restored to pre-activity values by 60 min of recovery.


2000 ◽  
Vol 203 (24) ◽  
pp. 3831-3838 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.W. Burggren ◽  
S.J. Warburton ◽  
M.D. Slivkoff

The heart beat of vertebrate embryos has been assumed to begin when convective bulk transport by blood takes over from transport by simple diffusion. To test this hypothesis, we measured eye growth, cervical flexure and rates of oxygen consumption (V(O2)) in day 3–4 chick embryos denied cardiac output by ligation of the outflow tract and compared them with those of embryos with an intact cardiovascular system.Eye diameter, used as the index for embryonic growth, increased at a rate of approximately 4.5-5 % h(−)(1) during the observation period. There was no significant difference (P>0.1) in the rate of increase in eye diameter between control (egg opened), sham-ligated (ligature present but not tied) and ligated embryos. Similarly, the normal progression of cervical flexure was not significantly altered by ligation (P>0.1). V(O2) (ml O(2)g(−)(1)h(−)(1)) at 38 degrees C, measured by closed respirometry, was not significantly different (P>0.1) on day 3 in sham-ligated (14.5+/−1.9 ml O(2)g(−)(1)h(−)(1)) and ligated 17.6+/−1.8 ml O(2)g(−)(1)h(−)(1)) embryos. Similarly, on day 4, V(O2) in sham-ligated and ligated embryos was statistically the same (sham-ligated 10. 5+/−2.9 ml O(2)g(−)(1)h(−)(1); ligated 9.7+/−2.9 ml O(2)g(−)(1)h(−)(1)). Expressed as a linear function of body mass (M), V(O2) in sham-ligated embryos was described by the equation V(O2)=−0.48M+24.06 (r(2)=0.36, N=18, P<0.01), while V(O2) in ligated embryos was described by the equation V(O2)=−0.53M+23.32 (r(2)=0.38, N=16, P<0.01). The regression line describing the relationship between body mass and V(O2) for pooled sham-ligated and ligated embryos (the two populations being statistically identical) was V(O2)=−0.47M+23.24. The slope of this regression line, which was significantly different from zero (r(2)=0.30, N=34, P<0.01), was similar to slopes calculated from previous studies over the same range of body mass.Collectively, these data indicate that growth and V(O2) are not dependent upon cardiac output and the convective blood flow it generates. Thus, early chick embryos join those of the zebrafish, clawed frog and axolotl in developing a heart beat and blood flow hours or days before required for convective oxygen and nutrient transport. We speculate that angiogenesis is the most likely role for the early development of a heart beat in vertebrate embryos.


1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (2) ◽  
pp. H602-H613 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Kunert ◽  
J. F. Liard ◽  
D. J. Abraham

Tissue O2 delivery in excess of metabolic demand may be a factor in the development of high vascular resistance in experimental models of volume-expanded hypertension. This hypothesis was previously tested in rats with an exchange transfusion of red blood cells treated with inositol hexaphosphate or an intravenous infusion of RSR-4, allosteric effectors of hemoglobin. The binding of these drugs with hemoglobin effect a conformational change in the molecule, such that the affinity for O2 is reduced. However, in both preparations, the changes in vascular resistance could have been nonspecific. The present studies used intravenous infusions of RSR-13, which did not share some of the problematic characteristics of RSR-4 and inositol hexaphosphate. Conscious instrumented rats (an electromagnetic flow probe on ascending aorta or an iliac, mesenteric, or renal Doppler flow probe) were studied for 6 h after an RSR-13 infusion of 200 mg/kg in 15 min. This dose significantly increased arterial P50 (PO2 at which hemoglobin is 50% saturated) from 38 +/- 0.8 to 58 +/- 1.4 mmHg at 1 h after the start of the infusion. In the 3rd h cardiac output fell significantly from a control value of 358 +/- 33 to 243 +/- 24 ml.kg-1.min-1 and total peripheral resistance significantly increased from 0.31 +/- 0.03 to 0.43 +/- 0.04 mmHg.ml-1.kg.min. Cardiac output and P50 returned toward control over the next few hours. Neither cardiac output nor total peripheral resistance changed in the group of rats receiving vehicle alone. In a separate group of rats, iliac flow decreased significantly to 60% of control and iliac resistance increased to 160% of control. Iliac flow increased significantly in the group of rats that received vehicle only. Although the mechanism of these changes has not been established, these results suggest that a decreased O2 affinity leads to an increased total peripheral resistance and regional vascular resistance and support the hypothesis that O2 plays a role in the metabolic autoregulation of blood flow.


1979 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 271-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. R. McMAHON ◽  
D. G. McDONALD ◽  
C. M. WOOD

Scaphognathite and heart-pumping frequencies, ventilation volume, cardiac output, oxygen uptake and oxygen transport by haemolymph have been studied in unrestrained Dungeness crabs (Cancer magister) before, immediately after, and during recovery from 20 min of enforced exhausting activity. Exercise increased oxygen uptake 4-fold. This increase was achieved by more than 2-fold elevation of both ventilation volume and cardiac output and by greater participation of haemocyanin in oxygen delivery. The elevated ventilation volume resulted entirely from an increase in scaphognathite pumping frequency, while the rise in cardiac output resulted largely from increase in stroke volume. Prior to exercise haemocyanin accounts for less than 50% of the oxygen delivered to the tissues. Following exercise this increases to over 80%, the additional oxygen release being mediated by a depression of prebranchial oxygen tension and a substantial Bohr effect resulting from build up of lactate ion in the haemolymph and subsequent fall in pH. These changes allowed % oxygen extraction from branchial water to be maintained at 28% despite a 2-fold increase in ventilation volume, and allowed an increase in %. oxygen extraction by the tissues. Despite these changes oxygen supply fell below demand during exercise, and considerable anaerobic metabolism resulted, as evidenced by a 9-fold increase in haemolymph lactate concentration. The resulting oxygen debt required 8–24 h for repayment. Aerobic metabolic scope, and mechanisms of increasing oxygen uptake and transport in this crab are compared with those of a range of fish species.


1974 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 972-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
L A Geddes ◽  
E Peery ◽  
R Steinberg

2015 ◽  
Vol 309 (11) ◽  
pp. R1347-R1357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Zarndt ◽  
Sarah Piloto ◽  
Frank L. Powell ◽  
Gabriel G. Haddad ◽  
Rolf Bodmer ◽  
...  

An adequate supply of oxygen is important for the survival of all tissues, but it is especially critical for tissues with high-energy demands, such as the heart. Insufficient tissue oxygenation occurs under a variety of conditions, including high altitude, embryonic and fetal development, inflammation, and thrombotic diseases, often affecting multiple organ systems. Responses and adaptations of the heart to hypoxia are of particular relevance in human cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, in which the effects of hypoxic exposure can range in severity from transient to long-lasting. This study uses the genetic model system Drosophila to investigate cardiac responses to acute (30 min), sustained (18 h), and chronic (3 wk) hypoxia with reoxygenation. Whereas hearts from wild-type flies recovered quickly after acute hypoxia, exposure to sustained or chronic hypoxia significantly compromised heart function upon reoxygenation. Hearts from flies with mutations in sima, the Drosophila homolog of the hypoxia-inducible factor alpha subunit (HIF-α), exhibited exaggerated reductions in cardiac output in response to hypoxia. Heart function in hypoxia-selected flies, selected over many generations for survival in a low-oxygen environment, revealed reduced cardiac output in terms of decreased heart rate and fractional shortening compared with their normoxia controls. Hypoxia-selected flies also had smaller hearts, myofibrillar disorganization, and increased extracellular collagen deposition, consistent with the observed reductions in contractility. This study indicates that longer-duration hypoxic insults exert deleterious effects on heart function that are mediated, in part, by sima and advances Drosophila models for the genetic analysis of cardiac-specific responses to hypoxia and reoxygenation.


Author(s):  
C.N. Airriess ◽  
B.R. McMahon ◽  
I.J. McGaw ◽  
G.B. Bourne

The pulsed-Doppler flowmeter permits continuous, non-invasive measurement of blood flow through several arteries simultaneously. Summation of volume flow rates through all arteries leaving the heart allows determination of cardiac output, stroke volume, and the percentage of cardiac output delivered to each region of the body. The use of this system for investigating changes in arterial perfusion as well as its calibration in situ are described.


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