Implication of a hormonal principle in thermal acclimation of the indian freshwater leech,poecilobdella viridis (blanchard): Influence of brain homogenate on oxygen consumption

The effect of brain homogenate of warm and cold acclimated leeches on the respiration of normal Poecilobdella viridis has been investigated. Homogenate of brain from warm acclimated leeches significantly (p < 0.05) decreased oxygen consumption rates over those of normal homogenate injections. Oxygen uptake values were significantly (p < 0.0 1) enhanced following the administration of brain homogenate of cold acclimated leeches. Hence, existence of two separate oxygen consumption controlling factors, possibly hormones, in the brain of P. viridis during thermal acclimation, is inferred.