Open Collections

The role of catecholamines in erythrocyte pH regulation and oxygen transport in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) during and following exhaustive activity

University of British Columbia

The role of endogenous plasma catecholamines in erythrocyte pH regulation and blood oxygen transport in freshwater rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) was examined. The fish were subjected to anaerobic exercise followed by aerobic exercise at 80% of their critical swimming velocity. The anaerobic exercise was found to result in a substantial extracellular acidosis, increased plasma catecholamine concentrations, increased blood oxygen levels, and increased erythrocytic pH. The transition from anaerobic to near-maximal aerobic exercise seemed to produce a temporary unsteady 6tate in the ventilation/perfusion properties of the oxygen uptake system; however, a new steady state was achieved within one hour of aerobic recovery. Anaerobic exercise followed by propranolol treatment resulted in a significant decrease in erythrocytic pH concurrent to the extracellular acidosis but blood oxygen levels were unchanged; it was assumed that the lack of a Root effect during red cell acidosis was due to secondary effects of propranolol on erythrocytes. It was concluded that adrenergic regulation of red cell pH in freshwater rainbow trout allowed normal haemoglobin-oxygen carriage during plasma acid-base disturbances resulting from strenuous exercise.

Text

2010-05-16

For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/24753

Zoology

University of British Columbia

Graduate