Localization of receptors causing hypoxic bradycardia in trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Abstract

Receptors causing the cardiac response to environmental hypoxia have been located in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Intact, unrestrained trout, acclimated to7or 16 °C. showed a marked increase in ventilation and bradycardia when exposed to hypoxia at their acclimation temperature, In experiments designed to locate the site of receptors causing hypoxic bradycardia, the buccal cavity of a fish was divided into two chambers by a tongue depressor, allowing oxygen tension of water flowing over each set of gills lo be varied independently. Irrigating one set of gills with hypoxic water [Formula: see text] while flowing hyperoxic water [Formula: see text] over the other caused heart rate to fall from 42.2 ± 0.6 (± SEM) to 26.4 ± 0.5 (± SEM) beats/min after 1 min of hypoxic water flow. Dorsal aortic [Formula: see text] was always above that recorded when both sets of gills were flushed with normoxic water [Formula: see text]. Bilateral ligation of the efferent pseudobranch artery and the pseudobranch nerve (cranial nerve IX) had no effect on the cardiac response to irrigation of one set of gills by hypoxic water. Physical removal of, or section of the nerve supply (cranial nerves IX and X) to, the first gill arch eliminated hypoxic bradycardia. The biological advantage of hypoxic bradycardia is discussed and it is suggested that gill arch receptors may function to monitor and maintain oxygen tension of blood leaving the gills.