title: Hypoxic cardiorespiratory reflexes in the facultative air-breathing fish jeju (Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus): role of branchial O2 chemoreceptors.
abstract: In one series of experiments, heart frequency (f (H)), blood pressure (P (a)), gill ventilation frequency (f ( R )), ventilation amplitude (V (AMP)) and total gill ventilation (V (TOT)) were measured in intact jeju (Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus) and jeju with progressive denervation of the branchial branches of cranial nerves IX (glossopharyngeal) and X (vagus) without access to air. When these fish were submitted to graded hypoxia (water PO(2) approximately 140, normoxia to 17 mmHg, severe hypoxia), they increased f ( R ), V (AMP), V (TOT) and P (a) and decreased f (H). In a second series of experiments, air-breathing frequency (f (RA)), measured in fish with access to the surface, increased with graded hypoxia. In both series, bilateral denervation of all gill arches eliminated the responses to graded hypoxia. Based on the effects of internal (caudal vein, 150 microg NaCN in 0.2 mL saline) and external (buccal) injections of NaCN (500 microg NaCN in 1.0 mL water) on f (R), V (AMP), V (TOT), P (a) and f (H) we conclude that the O(2) receptors involved in eliciting changes in gill ventilation and associated cardiovascular responses are present on all gill arches and monitor the O(2) levels of both inspired water and blood perfusing the gills. We also conclude that air breathing arises solely from stimulation of branchial chemoreceptors and support the hypothesis that internal hypoxaemia is the primary drive to air breathing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, Via Washington Luiz, km 235, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jane Mello
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Cheila de Lima
authors.initials: Cde L
authors.lastname: Boijink
authors.forename: Luiz Henrique
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Florindo
authors.forename: Cleo Alcantara Costa
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kalinin
authors.forename: William K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Milsom
authors.forename: Francisco Tadeu
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Rantin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001938:Brazil; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000601:surgery; D003714:Denervation; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D005880:Gills / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012966:Sodium Cyanide / Q000494:pharmacology; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012966:Sodium Cyanide