Effect of starvation and experimental feeding on the proximate composition and caloric content of an antarctic teleost,Notothenia coriiceps neglecta

• 1.1. Starving Notothenia coriiceps nn/lecta at 1°C for 20 days resulted in a loss of 4.22 gcal/kcal per day.
• 2.2. During starvation energy was obtained from lipid and carbohydrate stores of the liver and red muscle.
• 3.3. Feeding N. coriiceps neglecta low lipid, high protein shrimp meat at 18.9 gcal/kcal per day at 1°C for 20 days resulted in a gain of 8.5 gcal/kcal per day.
• 4.4. The level of carbohydrate in the liver and red muscle increased five times.
• 5.5. Gross growth efficiency (K₁) equalled 0.52.
• 6.6. Net growth efficiency (K₂) equalled 0.67.

     

Effect of temperature and salinity on the oxygen consumption of laboratory produced Penaeus californiensis postlarvae

• 1.1. The oxygen consumption by P. californiensis postlarvae (mean wt = 0.38 g) was determined at five different temperatures and four salinities.
• 2.2. The O₂ in each chamber was recorded at 10 min intervals for 1 hr. The time course of oxygen depletion was independent of O₂ concentration down to 1.6 mg/l.
• 3.3. Oxygen consumption increased with temperature from 0.0045 mg/g/min at 19°C, to 0.0142 mg/g/min at 35°C. The thermal coefficient (Q₁₀) indicated a very high sensitivity of the postlarvae to temperature variations at 19–23°C.
• 4.4. The results show that oxygen consumption significantly depends on temperature (P < 0.001) while salinity has only a marginal effect.

     

Metabolic responses of Cassin's Finches (Carpodacus cassinii) to temperature

• 1.1. The thermal neutral zone of Cassin's Finches extends from 22 to 37.5°C.
• 2.2. Standard metabolism (40.1 Wm⁻² or 7.6kcal bird⁻¹ day⁻¹) of the 28 g birds was 89% of the value predicted for passerines measured at night.
• 3.3. At temperatures below the zone of thermal neutrality metabolism is described by the relation, Wm⁻² = 1.55–74.5°C. The coefficient of heat transfer (1.55Wm⁻²°C⁻¹) is only 58% of the value predicted for birds of this size, indicating excellent insulation.
• 4.4. At temperatures above thermal neutralzfsity metabolism is described by the relation, Wm⁻² = 2.75–62.6°C.
• 5.5. Under conditions of heat stress (44.5°C; P_H2O = 8.6 Torr) Cassin's Finches were able to dissipate up to 208% of their metabolic heat production by evaporative water loss. Maximal rate of water loss was 56 mg g⁻¹ hr⁻¹.
• 6.6. At 20°C resting fasted finches lost a mean of 4.94 ± 1.5 SD mg H₂O g⁻¹hr⁻¹.

     

Effects of low environmental pH and temperature on hatching and metabolic rates in embryos of Anax junius drury (Odonata: Aeshnidae) and the role of hypoxia in the hatching process

• 1.1. Studies were conducted in order to determine the combined effects of low environmental pH and temperature on embryonic survival capacity and metabolic rates in the dragonfly, Anax junius Drury. Studies were also conducted to assess the effects of hypoxia on hatching success as well as to investigate the role of hypoxia as a possible physiological triggering mechanism for hatching.
• 2.2. At water temperatures of 10–30°C, an environmental pH value of 3.0 was extremely limiting and significantly reduced hatching success.
• 3.3. Over a pH range of 3.0–5.0, a water temperature of 30°C was found to be severely limiting. Over a pH range of 6.0–7.0, hatching success was greater than 80% at test temperatures ranging from 10 to 25°C.
• 4.4. Embryos of A. junius exhibited a greater tolerance to markedly low environmental pH (3.0) than that previously reported for fish and amphibians, although survival capacity was less than 10%.
• 5.5. An environmental pH value of 3.0 has a significant detrimental effect on embryonic development. Survivorship and developmental rate increase significantly over a pH range of 4.0–5.0.
• 6.6. Oxygen consumption rates were lowest for fertilized eggs exposed to a pH of 3.0 at all test temperatures (10–30°C). Metabolic rates increased significantly at pH 4.O.
• 7.7. Embryos hatch successfully under hypoxic conditions in both aqueous and nonaqueous media. Results suggest that hypoxia acts as a triggering mechanism for hatching in this aquatic insect.

     

The effect of temperature on the acid-base status of the blood of the hatching quail (Coturnix c. japonica)

• 1.1. The ambient temperature of embryos of pipped eggs was reduced from 38 to 28°C for a period of 45 min.
• 2.2. The blood P_CO2 was lower and the blood more alkaline at 28°C than at 38°C.
• 3.3. At 28°C plasma [HCO₃⁻] ] was lower than predicted from the blood buffer line determined in vitro.
• 4.4. The plasma concentrations of strong ions and lactate were the same at both temperatures.
• 5.5. After the ambient temperature had been returned to 38°C for a period of 45 min, blood pH was more acidic than before cooling, but there was no difference in blood P_CO2.
• 6.6. The plasma [HCO₃⁻] was the same as that at 28°C and plasma [K⁺] was higher than before cooling.
• 7.7. The results arc discussed in relation to the factors affecting blood pH in embryos at this stage of development.

     

Oxygen consumption and haemocyanin function in the freshwater snail Marisa cornuarietis (L.)

• 1.1. The MO₂ for branchial respiration in adult snails increased from 0.24 mmol/l/O₂ kg/hr at 18°C to 0.83 mmol/l/O₂ kg/hr at 40°C. Q₁₀ values were 2.75 between 35 and 40°C and 1.8 between 18 and 30°C.
• 2.2. The haemocyanin (31.9 ± 5.8 mg/ml) has a high oxygen affinity (6.28 ± 0.8 at 25°C) with a reversed Bohr effect measured between a pH of 6.80 and 7.95 with gelchromatographed haemolymph, and measured between a pH of 7.34 and 8.10 for native haemolymph.
• 3.3. Growth rate is optimal between 27 and 30°C whilst at 24°C stunted growth was found.
• 4.4. At 25°C the same MO₂ values were found for aerial and aquatic respiration.

     

Effect of size and temperature on the oxygen consumption of the brown shrimp Penaeus californiensis (Holmes, 1900)

• 1.1. The routine rate of oxygen consumption by Peneaus californiensis was determined for the size groups with average weights of 0.26, 2.31 and 10.01 g at five temperatures (19, 23, 27, 31 and 35°C).
• 2.2. Oxygen consumption (mg O₂/g min) was independent of dissolved oxygen (DO) level down to 1.8mg/l, increased with temperature (P < 0.05) from 0.0015mg O₂/g min for the preadults at 19°C to 0.0106 mg O₂/g min at 35°C for the postlarvae, and was inversely proportional to weight (P < 0.05).
• 3.3. The thermal coefficient (Q₁₀) indicated a higher sensitivity by preadults to temperature variations.

     

Ventilatory rate in the butterfish (Pholis gunnellus) as a consequence of temperature and previous emersion

• 1.1. Observation of ventilation in immersed Pholis gunnellus showed a linear relationship between ventilatory rate and temperature between 8 and 20°C.
• 2.2. At 13°C and after 30 min emersion, ventilatory rate was initially lower than prior to emersion, providing evidence of adequate uptake of O₂ for standard metabolism during the emersion period.
• 3.3. This species has a laterally elongate body form with reduced scales and extensive mucus secretion.
• 4.4. During emersion, gaping behaviour probably exposes the gills and extensively vascularised oesophageal regions to air.
• 5.5. These are considered to be morphological and behavioural adaptations by P. gunnellus, to aerial respiration in the intertidal habitats occupied by this species.

     

A note on eggshell porosity,nest humidity and the effects of DDE in the grey heron (Ardea cinerea)

• 1.1. Water vapour conductance (G_H2O) was determined for 25 grey heron Ardea cinerea eggs in the laboratory, and in nests during natural incubation at two Scottish colonies.
• 2.2. The mean G_H2O of eggs measured in the nest which successfully hatched was 9.0 mgH;O/mmHg/day and the mean water vapour pressure gradient between egg and nest (ΔP_H2O), measured using “calibrated” duck eggs, averaged at 31 mmHg (4.13 kPa).
• 3.3. Based on eggshell porosity results, from the eggs which hatched, such a gradient would result in a loss of water from the eggs during incubation equivalent to 11% of their fresh weight.
• 4.4. Shell thickness, the number of pores/cm² of eggshell and DDE content were also determined for the 25 eggs measured in the laboratory.
• 5.5. Eggs containing high levels of DDE had thinner shells, more pores in the eggshell and a higher overall eggshell porosity.
• 6.6. The main problem posed by a high level of DDE would appear, however, not to be an excessive water loss from the egg during incubation, but rather eggshell thinning leading to a loss of the egg due to breakage in the nest.

     

Ascaris suum: Influence of embryonation temperature on the viability of the infective larva

• 1.1.|The infective larvae of Ascaris suum develop in the egg between the temperatures 16 ± 1°C and 34 ± 1°C. Within this temperature range, increases in temperature increase the rate of development. The maximum rate of egg development is attained at 31 ± 1°C.
• 2.2.|Eggs embryonated at 28 ± 1°C and above give rise to infective larvae which have less ability to hatch in vitro, shorter longevity when aged in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.2) at 37°C, and more limited ability to penetrate tissue membranes in vitro, when compared with those larvae from eggs embryonated at lower temperatures.
• 3.3.|Maximum larval viability and ability to penetrate tissues in vitro was achieved when eggs were embryonated at 22 ± 1°C. These results suggest that the optimal temperature for rate of development and larval viability, or survivability are not the same, a point which has not previously been emphasised.
• 4.4.|The practical significance of these results are discussed in relation to the epidemiology of Ascarias and the known biology of the parasite.

     

The influence of temperature on the haemocyanin function and oxygen uptake of the freshwater crab Potamonautes warreni calman

• 1.1. At 35°C a maximal VO₂ value of 110 ml O₂/kg/hr was obtained with a significant decrease in the value at 40°C.
• 2.2. The Bohr-effect for P. warreni is — 0.28 and does not change significantly at 15, 25 and 35°C.
• 3.3. The ability of the crab to extract oxygen from the water medium during a single exhalation is on average 41.2% whilst the limitation diffusion (L. diff, Piiper, [1982], A Companion to Animal Physiology, pp. 49–64. Cambridge University Press.) is 0.84.
• 4.4. Compared to land and marine crabs, in P. warreni, the P_aO₂ (29.5 mm Hg) and the P_vO₂ (15.3 mm Hg) is low.

     

Oxygen consumption of the sandy-beach whelk Bullia digitalis meuschen at different levels of activity

• 1.1. O₂ consumption of suspended Bullia digitalis is not related to water current speed or degree of turbulence, where these are kept constant.
• 2.2. The highest levels of O₂ uptake at 15°C are obtained by producing fluctuating surges of turbulence, the animals responding to changes in the movement of water.
• 3.3. In buried animals O₂ consumption decreases with time in the absence of water movements.
• 4.4. Burrowing and surface crawling require less energy than transport in the surf.

     

The dependence of oxygen consumption of the common whelk (Buccinum undatum) on hypoxia,salinity and air exposure

• 1.1. Oxygen consumption of low salinity (20‰) acclimated whelks decreases markedly upon acute exposure to hypoxia (P_WO₂ = 35 Torr), but almost regenerates its original level within 48 hr exposure to the hypoxic condition.
• 2.2. This ability to regain the original level of oxygen consumption is not seen in high salinity (35‰) acclimated whelks.
• 3.3. Oxygen consumption in air at 10°C is more than twice the rate shown by low salinity acclimated whelks in normoxic water (P_WO₂ = 150 Torr).
• 4.4. Q₁₀ for oxygen consumption in air is about 1.0 in the temperature range 10–20°C.

     

Effects of low temperatures on NAD-sorbitol dehydrogenase activity and morphogenesis in non-diapause eggs of the silkworm,Bombyx mori

• 1.1. The activity of NAD-sorbitol dehydrogenase (NAD-SDH; EC 1.1.1.14) and levels of sorbitol were examined in non-diapause eggs of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, exposed to temperatures of 20-0.5°C from 1 day after oviposition. The morphology of embryos in the cold-acclimated eggs and the hatching of eggs after transfer to 25°C were monitored.
• 2.2. Temperatures between 15 and 0.5°C retarded the development of NAD-SDH activity at a specific embryonic stage that was comparable to diapause, and sorbitol accumulated in the eggs.
• 3.3. With the appearance of NAD-SDH activity, sorbitol was converted into glycogen, just as it is in diapause eggs. The results indicate that NAD-SDH participates in the utilization of sorbitol rather than in its formation in non-diapause eggs.
• 4.4. Distinct effects of low temperatures on the morphological development of the embryos are also discussed.

     

Metabolic and functional characteristics of erythrocytes from Glycera and Noetia

• 1.1. Annelid and molluscan red blood cells (RBC) may de differentiated metabolically from vertebrate RBC by their increased permeability to substrate, their magnitude of amino acid catabolism and their higher aerobic metabolism.
• 2.2. At 22°C, Glycera and Noetia RBC oxidize glucose and glutamate to CO₂ without accumulation of either d- or l-lactate. By comparison, the oxidation of glutamate by rat and chicken RBC is negligible at this temperature despite its incorporation into the cells.
• 3.3. At 37°C, chicken RBC oxidize glutamate at a rate 4 times greater than at 22°C, with oxygen uptake still lower than that in Noetia RBC at 32°C. At 37°C, rat RBC do not increase their oxidation of glutamate above that at 22°C, but oxygen uptake increases to slightly more than half that of chicken RBC.
• 4.4. Our finclings indicate that RBC of these two invertebrate species have both a higher aerobic metabolism and lower anerobic capacity than vertebrate RBC.
• 5.5. Moreover, the annelid and molluscan RBC have a relatively lower activity of the pentose phosphate (PPO₄) pathway than vertebrate RBC, as evidenced by their higher thermal sensitivity of oxygen uptake and their higher *C₁O₂/*C₆O₂ isotope ratio.

     

Utilization of body stores in embryonated ova and larvae of two coregonid species (Coregonus lavaretus L. and C. albula L.)

• 1.1. Developing eggs of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.) and vendace (Coregonus albula L.) were kept at 1–2°C and some eggs taken gradually up to 8°C to provoke mass hatching of embryos.
• 2.2. Wet weight, dry matter and the contents of lipid, protein and ash were measured in fish during the course of experiment.
• 3.3. Dry matter content decreased gradually in whitefish eggs from 15.64 to 11.95% during 1 month at 1–2°C, whereas vendace eggs showed only a slight decrease from 16.27 to 15.53%.
• 4.4. In both species protein content decreased but lipid increased when approaching the natural time of hatching.
• 5.5. During delayed hatching at low water temperatures protein contributes to catabolism, whereas lipid content decreased only in the later phase of the experiment.
• 6.6. Larvae starved for 10 days after hatching lost increasing amounts of dry matter (from 26.1 to 50.3% of body weight) and protein (from 18.7 to 45.9% of body weight) as they remained longer in cold water as embryos.
• 7.7. A correspondence was found between assessment of metabolic utilization of body stores based on chemical analysis of fish body and previous work on oxygen consumption and nitrogen excretion.

     

Activity of NAD-sorbitol dehydrogenase is caused by biosynthesis of enzyme protein in diapause and non-diapause eggs of the silkworm,Bombyx mori

• 1.1. Using SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting analyses with anti-sorbitol dehydeogenase (EC 1.1.1.14, SDH) serum, changes in amount of SDH protein were examined in diapause and non-diapause eggs of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.
• 2.2. When diapause eggs were exposed to 5°C from 2 days after oviposition to break the diapause gradually, SDH protein appeared after 50-day chilling, and then the amount increased along with chilling period. This changing pattern paralleled that in SDH activity.
• 3.3. In diapause eggs treated with HCl after chilling at 5°C for 30 days to break the diapause quickly, and non-diapause eggs, changing patterns in amount of SDH protein also paralleled those in SDH activity.
• 4.4. These results showed that SDH activity was caused by biosynthesis of SDH protein, independent of diapause or non-diapause eggs.
• 5.5. Occurrence of SDH correlates with the three developmental phases: diapause termination, embryonic growth, and larval differentiation. In larva, SDH was mainly localized in the fat-body.

     

The influence of aerial exposure on gas exchange and cardiac activity in the shore crab,Carcinus maenas (L.)

• 1.1. The cardiovascular physiology of adult Carcinus maenas (L.) emerging into air has been investigated at three different air temperatures.
• 2.2. Transition from seawater to air or vice versa triggered transient increases in cardiac and locomotor activity.
• 3.3. However, crabs became inactive 5–10 min after emerging from seawater (15°C) into air at the same temperature (15°C) or at lower temperatures (12–13°C) and heart rate fell.
• 4.4. At higher air temperatures (18–20°C) heart rate rose but to a lesser extent than predicted from aquatic Q₁₀ heart-rate values.
• 5.5. Crabs were again quiescent in aerial conditions.
• 6.6. Mean arterial oxygen tension (Pa_o2) was ~ 74 mmHg in submerged crabs but fell to ~ 38 mmHg in air while mean arterial carbon dioxide tension (Pa_o2) increased from 1 to 4 mmHg resulting in respiratory acidosis.
• 7.7. A model of gill function is proposed to explain the development of internal hypoxia in air.
• 8.8. The results are discussed in relation to the distribution of adult and juvenile C. maenas in situ.

     

Metabolic rate and body temperature of adult and juvenile hyrax (Procavia capensis)

• 1.1. Resting metabolic rates (RMR) below thermoneutrality in adult hyrax acclimated to 26, 15 and 10°C remained unchanged, i.e. thermal conductance (K) remained constant.
• 2.2. Conductance in juveniles decreased with acclimation to lower ambient temperatures (T_a).
• 3.3. Body temperature (T_b) dropped by 3.8°C in adults exposed to T_a of 30 – 5°C. The decrease was constant.
• 4.4. Body temperature fell by 1.5°C in juveniles exposed to T_a of 30 – 20°C but stabilized between 20 and 5°C.
• 5.5. The labile T_b, associated with behavioural strategies and lower than predicted RMR, can be seen as an energy-conserving mechanism of particular importance during winter conditions.

     

Temperature shift-induced changes in the antioxidant enzyme system of Cyanobacterium synechocystis PCC 6803

• 1.1. Effect of controlled up- and down-shifts of growth temperature on the antioxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation were investigated in intact cells of Cyanobacterium synechocystis PCC 6803 acclimated at different growth temperature.
• 2.2. Algal cells grown at 36°C were treated at 20 and 43°C as down- and upward-shifts of growth temperature for 24 hr, respectively. At the down-shift of growth temperature the superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased with concomitant decrease in protein content.
• 3.3. These parameters showed similar temperature dependencies in the up-shift of growth temperature, they were decreased significantly.
• 4.4. The increased hydroxyl (HO) radical and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) formation, when algal cells exposed to down-shift of growth temperature, supposedly due to stimulated production of superoxide radicals (O₂⁻) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at lower temperature.