Tissue Glycogen and Extracellular Buffering Limit the Survival of Red‐Eared Slider Turtles during Anoxic Submergence at 3°C

Gene expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), HIF regulators, and putative HIF targets in ventricle and telencephalon of Trachemys scripta acclimated to 21 °C or 5 °C and exposed to normoxia, anoxia or reoxygenation

In anoxia-sensitive mammals, hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) promotes cellular survival in hypoxia, but also tumorigenesis. By comparison, anoxia-tolerant vertebrates likely need to circumvent a prolonged upregulation of HIF to survive long-term anoxia, making them attractive biomedical models for investigating HIF regulation. To lend insight into the role of HIF in anoxic Trachemys scripta ventricle and telencephalon, 21 °C- and 5 °C-acclimated turtles were exposed to normoxia, anoxia (24 h at 21 °C; 24 h or 14 d at 5 °C) or anoxia + reoxygenation and the gene expression of HIF-1α (hif1a) and HIF-2α (hif2a), two regulators of HIF, and eleven putative downstream targets of HIF quantified by qPCR. Changes in gene expression with anoxia at 21 °C differentially aligned with a circumvention of HIF activity. Whereas hif1a and hif2a expression was unaffected in ventricle and telencephalon, and BCL2 interacting protein 3 gene expression reduced by 30% in telencephalon, gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A increased in ventricle (4.5-fold) and telencephalon (1.5-fold), and hexokinase 1 (2-fold) and hexokinase 2 (3-fold) gene expression increased in ventricle. At 5 °C, the pattern of gene expression in ventricle or telencephalon was unaltered with oxygenation state. However, cold acclimation in normoxia induced downregulation of HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and HIF target gene expression in telencephalon. Overall, the findings lend support to the postulation that prolonged activation of HIF is counterproductive for long-term anoxia survival. Nevertheless, quantification of the effect of anoxia and acclimation temperature on HIF binding activity and regulation at the protein level are needed to provide a strong scientific framework whereby new strategies for oxygen related pathologies can be developed.

Does the ventricle limit cardiac contraction rate in the anoxic turtle (Trachemys scripta)? II. In vivo and in vitro assessment of the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmia and atrioventricular block

Previous studies have reported evidence of atrio-ventricular (AV) block in the oxygen-limited Trachemys scripta heart. However, if cardiac arrhythmia occurs in live turtles during prolonged anoxia exposure remains unknown. Here, we compare the effects of prolonged anoxic submergence and subsequent reoxygenation on cardiac electrical activity through in vivo electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings of 21 °C- and 5 °C-acclimated turtles to assess the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmia. Additionally, to elucidate the influence of extracellular conditions on the prominence of cardiac arrhythmia, we exposed spontaneously contracting T. scripta right atrium and electrically coupled ventricle strip preparations to extracellular conditions that sequentially and additively approximated the shift from the normoxic to anoxic extracellular condition of warm- and cold-acclimated turtles. Cardiac arrhythmia was prominent in 21 °C anoxic turtles. Arrhythmia was qualitatively evidenced by groupings of contractions in pairs and trios and quantified by an increased coefficient of variation of the RR interval. Similarly, exposure to combined anoxia, acidosis, and hyperkalemia induced arrhythmia in vitro that was not counteracted by hypercalcemia or combined hypercalcemia and heightened adrenergic stimulation. By comparison, cold acclimation primed the turtle heart to be resilient to cardiac arrhythmia. Although cardiac irregularities were present intermittently, no change in the variation of the RR interval occurred in vivo with prolonged anoxia exposure at 5 °C. Moreover, the in vitro studies at 5 °C highlighted the importance of adrenergic stimulation in counteracting AV block. Finally, at both acclimation temperatures, cardiac arrhythmia and irregularities ceased upon reoxygenation, indicating that the T. scripta heart recovers from anoxia-induced disruptions to cardiac excitation.

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Cardiac arrhythmia was prominent in 21 °C anoxic turtles.

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Cold acclimation primes the turtle heart to be resilient to the cardiac arrhythmia induced by prolonged anoxic submergence.

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Adrenergic stimulation counteracts atrioventricular block at 5 °C.

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The turtle heart recovers from anoxia-induced disruptions to cardiac electrical activity.

Does the ventricle limit cardiac contraction rate in the anoxic turtle (Trachemys scripta)? I. Comparison of the intrinsic contractile responses of cardiac chambers to the extracellular changes that accompany prolonged anoxia exposure

Multiple lines of evidence suggest that an inability of the ventricle to contract in coordination with the pacemaker during anoxia exposure may suppress cardiac pumping rate in anoxia-tolerant turtles. To determine under what extracellular conditions the ventricle could be the weak link that limits cardiac pumping, we compared, under various extracellular conditions, the intrinsic contractile properties of isometrically-contracting ventricular and atrial strips obtained from 21 °C- to 5 °C- acclimated turtles (Trachemys scripta) that had been exposed to either normoxia or anoxia (16 h at 21 °C; 12 days at 5 °C). We found that combined extracellular anoxia, acidosis, and hyperkalemia (AAK), severely disrupted ventricular, but not right or left atrial, excitability and contractibility of 5 °C anoxic turtles. However, combined hypercalcemia and heightened adrenergic stimulation counteracted the negative effects of AAK. We also report that the turtle heart is resilient to prolonged diastolic intervals, which would ensure that contractile force is maintained if arrhythmia were to occur during anoxia exposure. Finally, our findings reinforce that prior temperature and anoxia experiences are central to the intrinsic contractile response of the turtle myocardium to altered extracellular conditions. At 21 °C, prior anoxia exposure preconditioned the ventricle for anoxic and acidosis exposure. At 5 °C, prior anoxia exposure evoked heightened sensitivity of the ventricle to hyperkalemia, as well as all chambers to combined hypercalcemia and increased adrenergic stimulation. Overall, our findings show that the ventricle could limit cardiac pumping rate during prolonged anoxic submergence in cold-acclimated turtles if hypercalcemia and heightened adrenergic stimulation are insufficient to counteract the negative effects of combined extracellular anoxia, acidosis, and hyperkalemia.

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Turtle atria are more resilient to extracellular factors that disrupt contraction than the ventricle.

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Combined anoxia, acidosis, and hyperkalemia disrupted ventricular excitability and contractibility of 5 °C anoxic turtles.

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Heightened adrenergic stimulation counteracted the negative effects.

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The ventricle could limit cardiac pumping during anoxia at 5 °C if adrenergic stimulation is low.

New Insights to Regulation of Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase during Anoxia in Red-Eared Slider, Trachemys scripta elegans

The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) undergoes numerous changes to its physiological and metabolic processes to survive without oxygen. During anoxic conditions, its metabolic rate drops drastically to minimize energy requirements. The alterations in the central metabolic pathways are often accomplished by the regulation of key enzymes. The regulation of one such enzyme, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase; EC 3.1.3.11), was characterized in the present study during anoxia in liver. FBPase is a crucial enzyme of gluconeogenesis. The FBPase was purified from liver tissue in both control and anoxic conditions and subsequently assayed to determine the kinetic parameters of the enzyme. The study revealed the relative degree of post-translational modifications in the FBPase from control and anoxic turtles. Further, this study demonstrated a significant decrease in the maximal activity in anoxic FBPase and decreased sensitivity to its substrate Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) when compared to the control. Immunoblotting demonstrated increased threonine phosphorylation (~1.4-fold) in the anoxic FBPase. Taken together, these results suggest that the phosphorylation of liver FBPase is an important step in suppressing FBPase activity, ultimately leading to the inhibition of gluconeogenesis in the liver of the red-eared slider during anaerobic conditions.

Indirect evidence that anoxia exposure and cold acclimation alter transarcolemmal Ca2+ flux in the cardiac pacemaker, right atrium and ventricle of the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta)

We indirectly assessed if altered transarcolemmal Ca²⁺ flux accompanies the decreased cardiac activity displayed by Trachemys scripta with anoxia exposure and cold acclimation. Turtles were first acclimated to 21 °C or 5 °C and held under normoxic (21N; 5N) or anoxic conditions (21A; 5A). We then compared the response of intrinsic heart rate (f_H) and maximal developed force of spontaneously contracting right atria (F_max,RA), and maximal developed force of isometrically-contracting ventricular strips (F_max,V), to Ni²⁺ (0.1-10 mM), which respectively blocks T-type Ca²⁺ channels, L-type Ca²⁺ channels and the Na⁺-Ca²⁺-exchanger at the low, intermediate and high concentrations employed. Dose-response curves were established in simulated in vivo normoxic (Sim Norm) or simulated in vivo anoxic extracellular conditions (Sim Anx; 21A and 5A preparations). Ni²⁺ decreased intrinsic f_H, F_max,RA and F_max,V of 21N tissues in a concentration-dependent manner, but the responses were blunted in 21A tissues in Sim Norm. Similarly, dose-response curves for F_max,RA and F_max,V of 5N tissues were right-shifted, whereas anoxia exposure at 5 °C did not further alter the responses. The influence of Sim Anx was acclimation temperature-, cardiac chamber- and contractile parameter-dependent. Combined, the findings suggest that: (1) reduced transarcolemmal Ca²⁺ flux in the cardiac pacemaker is a potential mechanism underlying the slowed intrinsic f_H of anoxic turtles at 21 °C, but not 5 °C, (2) a downregulation of transarcolemmal Ca²⁺ flux may aid cardiac anoxia survival at 21 °C and prime the turtle myocardium for winter anoxia and (3) confirm that altered extracellular conditions with anoxia exposure can modify turtle cardiac transarcolemmal Ca²⁺ flux.

Evaluation of the effects of two anaesthetic protocols on oxidative status and DNA damage in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) undergoing endoscopic coeliotomy

The aim of this study was to assess how red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) respond to anaesthesia itself and coelioscopy. For that purpose, the turtles were anaesthetised with ketamine-medetomidine or propofol, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by spectrophotometry. The possible genotoxic effects of the anaesthetic agents were estimated by comet assay. A total of 24 turtles were included in this study. The animals were divided into four groups according to the anaesthetic protocol and according to whether endoscopy would be performed. Significantly decreased activities of CAT were found only in the propofol group and in turtles undergoing coelioscopy. Both anaesthetic protocols induced significantly increased MDA levels, while no differences were observed after the intervention. A significant increase in GST activity was detected in turtles after both anaesthetic protocols, but after coelioscopy significant changes in GST activity were found only in the propofol group. However, no differences in SOD activity and no DNA damages were detected in either group. These findings suggest that ketamine-medetomidine may be more suitable anaesthetic agents in red-eared sliders than propofol.

H2S-producing enzymes in anoxia-tolerant vertebrates: Effects of cold acclimation, anoxia exposure and reoxygenation on gene and protein expression

To lend insight into the potential role of the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in facilitating anoxia survival of anoxia-tolerant vertebrates, we quantified the gene expression of the primary H₂S-synthesizing enzymes, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), in ventricle and brain of normoxic, anoxic and reoxygenated 21 °C- and 5 °C-acclimated freshwater turtles (Trachemys scripta) and 10 °C-acclimated crucian carp (Carassius carassius). Semi-quantitative Western blotting analysis was also conducted to assess 3MST and CBS protein abundance in ventricle and brain of 5 °C turtles and 10 °C crucian carp subjected to normoxia, anoxia and reoxygenation. We hypothesized that if H₂S was advantageous for anoxia survival, expression levels would remain unchanged or be upregulated with anoxia and/or reoxygenation. Indeed, for both species, gene and protein expression were largely maintained with anoxia exposure (24 h, 21 °C; 5 d, 10 °C; 14 d, 5 °C). With reoxygenation, 3MST expression was increased in turtle and crucian carp brain at the protein and gene level, respectively. Additionally, the effect of cold acclimation on gene expression was assessed in several tissues of the turtle. Expression levels were maintained in most tissues, but decreased in others. The maintenance of gene and protein expression of the H₂S-producing enzymes with anoxia exposure and the up-regulation of 3MST with reoxygenation suggests that H₂S may facilitate anoxic survival of the two champions of vertebrate anoxia survival. The differential effects of cold acclimation on H₂S enzyme expression may influence blood flow to different tissues during winter anoxia.

Protein lysine methylation in the regulation of anoxia tolerance in the red eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans

The red eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a champion vertebrate facultative anaerobe, capable of surviving for several months under conditions of exceptionally low oxygen availability. The ability of the turtle to facilitate this impressive tolerance to oxygen restriction is accomplished through a dramatic reduction in non-essential cellular processes. This is done in an attempt to conserve limited ATP stores and match demand in the anoxic state, with ATP supplied primarily through anaerobic glycolysis. Determining both the non-essential and the essential cellular processes that are deemed to be anoxia-responsive in the turtle has been an intense area of study over the past few decades. As a result, recent advancements have established the influence of global metabolic controls, such as post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation of gene expression in anoxia adaptation. A remaining question is whether or not epigenetic-level regulatory mechanisms are also utilized to allow for local control over gene expression. Recently, research has begun to document lysine methylation as an anoxia-responsive post-translational histone modification, as the activities of a number of methyl-lysine regulatory enzymes are extraordinarily sensitive to oxygen availability. As a result, oxygen-dependent methyl-lysine regulatory enzymes have been of particular interest to several recent studies of animal oxygen sensitivity, including the freshwater turtle. This review will introduce the concept of lysine methylation as an oxygen-sensitive protein modification as well as a prospectus on how this modification may contribute to anoxia tolerance in the turtle.

Tissue-dependent variation of hydrogen sulfide homeostasis in anoxic freshwater turtles

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) controls numerous physiological responses. To understand its proposed role in metabolic suppression, we measured free H₂S and bound sulfane sulfur (BSS) in tissues of the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta elegans, a species undergoing strong metabolic suppression when cold and anoxic. In warm normoxic turtles, free H₂S was higher in red blood cells (RBCs) and kidney (∼9-10 µmol l^-1) than in brain, liver and lung (∼1-2 µmol l^-1). These values overall aligned with the tissue H₂S-generating enzymatic activity. BSS levels were similar in all tissues (∼0.5 µmol l^-1) but ∼100-fold higher in RBCs, which have a high thiol content, suggesting that RBCs function as a circulating H₂S reservoir. Cold acclimation caused significant changes in free and bound H₂S in liver, brain and RBCs, but anoxia had no further effect, except in the brain. These results show tissue-dependent sulfide signaling with a potential role in brain metabolic suppression during anoxia in turtles.

Turtles maintain mitochondrial integrity but reduce mitochondrial respiratory capacity in the heart after cold acclimation and anoxia

Mitochondria are important to cellular homeostasis, but can become a dangerous liability when cells recover from hypoxia. Anoxia-tolerant freshwater turtles show reduced mitochondrial respiratory capacity and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after prolonged anoxia, but the mechanisms are unclear. Here, we investigated whether this mitochondrial suppression originates from downregulation of mitochondrial content or intrinsic activity by comparing heart mitochondria from (1) warm (25°C) normoxic, (2) cold-acclimated (4°C) normoxic and (3) cold-acclimated anoxic turtles. Transmission electron microscopy of heart ventricle revealed that these treatments did not affect mitochondrial volume density and morphology. Furthermore, neither enzyme activity, protein content nor supercomplex distribution of electron transport chain (ETC) enzymes changed significantly. Instead, our data imply that turtles inhibit mitochondrial respiration rate and ROS production by a cumulative effect of slight inhibition of ETC complexes. Together, these results show that maintaining mitochondrial integrity while inhibiting overall enzyme activities are important aspects of anoxia tolerance.

Metabolic adaptations during extreme anoxia in the turtle heart and their implications for ischemia-reperfusion injury

ATP depletion and succinate accumulation during ischemia lead to oxidative damage to mammalian organs upon reperfusion. In contrast, freshwater turtles survive weeks of anoxia at low temperatures without suffering from oxidative damage upon reoxygenation, but the mechanisms are unclear. To determine how turtles survive prolonged anoxia, we measured ~80 metabolites in hearts from cold-acclimated (5 °C) turtles exposed to 9 days anoxia and compared the results with those for normoxic turtles (25 °C) and mouse hearts exposed to 30 min of ischemia. In turtles, ATP and ADP decreased to new steady-state levels during fasting and cold-acclimation and further with anoxia, but disappeared within 30 min of ischemia in mouse hearts. High NADH/NAD+ ratios were associated with succinate accumulation in both anoxic turtles and ischemic mouse hearts. However, succinate concentrations and succinate/fumarate ratios were lower in turtle than in mouse heart, limiting the driving force for production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon reoxygenation in turtles. Furthermore, we show production of ROS from succinate is prevented by re-synthesis of ATP from ADP. Thus, maintenance of an ATP/ADP pool and low succinate accumulation likely protects turtle hearts from anoxia/reoxygenation injury and suggests metabolic interventions as a therapeutic approach to limit ischemia/reperfusion injury in mammals.

Na+/K+-ATPase activity in the anoxic turtle (Trachemys scripta) brain at different acclimation temperature

Survival of prolonged anoxia requires a balance between cellular ATP demand and anaerobic ATP supply from glycolysis, especially in critical tissues such as the brain. To add insight into the ATP demand of the brain of the anoxia-tolerant red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) during prolonged periods of anoxic submergence, we quantified and compared the number of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase units and their molecular activity in brain tissue from turtles acclimated to either 21°C or 5°C and exposed to either normoxia or anoxia (6h 21°C; 14days at 5°C). Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity and density per g tissue were similar at 21°C and 5°C in normoxic turtles. Likewise, anoxia exposure at 21°C did not induce any change in Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity or density. In contrast, prolonged anoxia at 5°C significantly reduced Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity by 55%, which was largely driven by a 50% reduction of the number of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase units without a change in the activity of existing Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase pumps or α-subunit composition. These findings are consistent with the "channel arrest" hypothesis to reduce turtle brain Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity during prolonged, but not short-term anoxia, a change that likely helps them overwinter under low temperature, anoxic conditions.

Continuous arterial PO2 profiles in unrestrained, undisturbed aquatic turtles during routine behaviors

Mammals and birds maintain high arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PO2 ) values in order to preserve near-complete hemoglobin (Hb) oxygen (O2) saturation. In diving mammals and birds, arterial O2 follows a primarily monotonic decline and then recovers quickly after dives. In laboratory studies of submerged freshwater turtles, arterial O2 depletion typically follows a similar pattern. However, in these studies, turtles were disturbed, frequently tethered to external equipment and confined either to small tanks or breathing holes. Aquatic turtles can alter cardiac shunting patterns, which will affect arterial PO2  values. Consequently, little is known about arterial O2 regulation and use in undisturbed turtles. We conducted the first study to continuously measure arterial PO2  using implanted microelectrodes and a backpack logger in undisturbed red-eared sliders during routine activities. Arterial PO2  profiles during submergences varied dramatically, with no consistent patterns. Arterial PO2  was also lower than previously reported during all activities, with values rarely above 50 mmHg (85% Hb saturation). There was no difference in mean PO2  between five different activities: submerged resting, swimming, basking, resting at the surface and when a person was present. These results suggest significant cardiac shunting occurs during routine activities as well as submergences. However, the lack of relationship between PO2  and any activity suggests that cardiac shunts are not regulated to maintain high arterial PO2  values. These data support the idea that cardiac shunting is the passive by-product of regulation of vascular resistances by the autonomic nervous system.

The metabolic consequences of repeated anoxic stress in the western painted turtle, Chrysemys picta bellii

The painted turtle is known for its extreme tolerance to anoxia, but it is unknown whether previous experience with anoxic stress might alter physiological performance during or following a test bout of anoxia. Repeatedly subjecting 25°C-acclimated painted turtles to 2h of anoxic stress every other day for 19days (10 submergence bouts total) caused resting levels of liver glycogen to decrease by 17% and liver citrate synthase (CS) and cytochrome oxidase (COX) activities to increase by 33% and 112%, respectively. When the repeatedly submerged turtles were studied during a subsequent anoxic stress test, liver COX and CS activities decreased during anoxia to the same levels of naïve turtles, which were unchanged, and remained there throughout metabolic recovery. There were no effects of the repeated anoxia treatment on any of the other measured variables, which included lactate dehydrogenase and phosphofructokinase activities in liver, skeletal muscle, and ventricle, blood acid-base status, hemoglobin, hematocrit and plasma ion (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl) and metabolite concentrations (lactate, glucose, free-fatty acids), before, during, or after the anoxic stress test. We conclude that although painted turtles can show a physiological reaction to repeated anoxic stress, the changes appear to have no measurable effect on anaerobic physiological performance or ability to recover from anoxia.

Hypoxia tolerance, nitric oxide, and nitrite: lessons from extreme animals

Among vertebrates able to tolerate periods of oxygen deprivation, the painted and red-eared slider turtles (Chrysemys picta and Trachemys scripta) and the crucian carp (Carassius carassius) are the most extreme and can survive even months of total lack of oxygen during winter. The key to hypoxia survival resides in concerted physiological responses, including strong metabolic depression, protection against oxidative damage and-in air-breathing animals-redistribution of blood flow. Each of these responses is known to be tightly regulated by nitric oxide (NO) and during hypoxia by its metabolite nitrite. The aim of this review is to highlight recent work illustrating the widespread roles of NO and nitrite in the tolerance to extreme oxygen deprivation, in particular in the red-eared slider turtle and crucian carp, but also in diving marine mammals. The emerging picture underscores the importance of NO and nitrite signaling in the adaptive response to hypoxia in vertebrate animals.

Acute and chronic temperature effects on cardiovascular regulation in the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta)

Acute and chronic changes in ambient temperature alter several aspects of reptilian physiology. We investigated the effects of each type of temperature change on reptilian cardiovascular regulation in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta), a species known to experience marked seasonal changes in ambient temperature. Turtles were instrumented with occlusive catheters in the femoral artery and vein. Following an acclimation period of 10 days at 13 °C (13(1)), cardiovascular responses to adrenaline, and the cardiac limb of the baroreflex were quantified. Ambient temperature was then reduced 1 °C day(-1) until 3 °C was reached (3(1)). Turtles were maintained at this temperature for 1-week before cardiovascular responses were reassessed. Turtles were then gradually (1 °C day(-1)) returned to an ambient temperature of 13 °C, (13(2)). After a 1-week re-acclimation period, cardiovascular responses were again determined. Finally, 1-week post-pharmacological manipulation of turtles in the 13(2) treatment, ambient temperature was reduced to 3 °C over 24 h (3(2)), and cardiovascular responses were again assessed. Temperature reduction from 13(1) to 3(1) decreased mean arterial blood pressure (P(m)) and heart rate (f(H)) by ~38 and ~63%, respectively. Acute temperature reduction, from 13(2) to 3(2), decreased f(H) similarly, ~66%; however, while P(m) decreased ~28%, this was not significantly different than P(m) at 13(2). The adrenaline injections increased f(H) ranging from 90 to 170% at 13 °C which was a greater change than that observed at 3 °C ranging from a 40 to 70% increase. The increase in P m at the lowest dose of adrenaline did not differ across the temperature treatment groups. The operational point (set-point) P(m) of the baroreflex was decreased similarly by both methods of temperature reduction (3(1) or 3(2)). Further, a hypertensive cardiac baroreflex was absent in the majority of the animals studied independent of temperature. Baroreflex gain and normalized gain based on individual estimates of the relationship were decreased by temperature reduction similarly. Collectively, the data suggest that red-eared slider turtles modulate (down-regulate) some cardiovascular control mechanisms during reduced ambient temperature.

The beat goes on: Cardiac pacemaking in extreme conditions

In order for an animal to survive, the heart beat must go on in all environmental conditions, or at least restart its beat. This review is about maintaining a rhythmic heartbeat under the extreme conditions of anoxia (or very severe hypoxia) and high temperatures. It starts by considering the primitive versions of the protein channels that are responsible for initiating the heartbeat, HCN channels, divulging recent findings from the ancestral craniate, the Pacific hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii). It then explores how a heartbeat can maintain a rhythm, albeit slower, for hours without any oxygen, and sometimes without autonomic innervation. It closes with a discussion of recent work on fishes, where the cardiac rhythm can become arrhythmic when a fish experiences extreme heat.

Hibernation and gas exchange

Hibernation in endotherms and ectotherms is characterized by an energy-conserving metabolic depression due to low body temperatures and poorly understood temperature-independent mechanisms. Rates of gas exchange are correspondly reduced. In hibernating mammals, ventilation falls even more than metabolic rate leading to a relative respiratory acidosis that may contribute to metabolic depression. Breathing in some mammals becomes episodic and in some small mammals significant apneic gas exchange may occur by passive diffusion via airways or skin. In ectothermic vertebrates, extrapulmonary gas exchange predominates and in reptiles and amphibians hibernating underwater accounts for all gas exchange. In aerated water diffusive exchange permits amphibians and many species of turtles to remain fully aerobic, but hypoxic conditions can challenge many of these animals. Oxygen uptake into blood in both endotherms and ectotherms is enhanced by increased affinity of hemoglobin for O₂ at low temperature. Regulation of gas exchange in hibernating mammals is predominately linked to CO₂/pH, and in episodic breathers, control is principally directed at the duration of the apneic period. Control in submerged hibernating ectotherms is poorly understood, although skin-diffusing capacity may increase under hypoxic conditions. In aerated water blood pH of frogs and turtles either adheres to alphastat regulation (pH ∼8.0) or may even exhibit respiratory alkalosis. Arousal in hibernating mammals leads to restoration of euthermic temperature, metabolic rate, and gas exchange and occurs periodically even as ambient temperatures remain low, whereas body temperature, metabolic rate, and gas exchange of hibernating ectotherms are tightly linked to ambient temperature.

Quantification of heat shock protein mRNA expression in warm and cold anoxic turtles (Trachemys scripta) using an external RNA control for normalization

The mRNA expression of heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) and heat-shock cognate 70 (HSC70) was examined in cardiac chambers and telencephalon of warm- (21°C) and cold-acclimated (5°C) turtles (Trachemys scripta) exposed to normoxia, prolonged anoxia or anoxia followed by reoxygenation. Additionally, the suitability of total RNA as well as mRNA from β-actin, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and cyclophilin A (PPIA) for normalizing gene expression data was assessed, as compared to the use of an external RNA control. Measurements of HSP90 and HSC70 mRNA expression revealed that anoxia and reoxygenation have tissue- and gene-specific effects. By and large, the alterations support previous investigations on HSP protein abundance in the anoxic turtle heart and brain, as well as the hypothesized roles of HSP90 and HSC70 during stress and non-stress conditions. However, more prominent was a substantially increased HSP90 and HSC70 mRNA expression in the cardiac chambers with cold acclimation. The finding provides support for the notion that cold temperature induces a number of adaptations in tissues of anoxia-tolerant vertebrates that precondition them for winter anoxia. β-actin, GAPDH and PPIA mRNA expression and total RNA also varied with oxygenation state and acclimation temperature in a tissue- and gene-specific manner, as well as among tissue types, thus disqualifying them as suitable for real-time RT-PCR normalization. Thus, the present data highlights the advantages of normalizing real-time RT-PCR data to an external RNA control, an approach that also allows inter-tissue and potentially inter-species comparisons of target gene expression.

Physiological ecology of overwintering in hatchling turtles

Temperate species of turtles hatch from eggs in late summer. The hatchlings of some species leave their natal nest to hibernate elsewhere on land or under water, whereas others usually remain inside the nest until spring; thus, post-hatching behavior strongly influences the hibernation ecology and physiology of this age class. Little is known about the habitats of and environmental conditions affecting aquatic hibernators, although laboratory studies suggest that chronically hypoxic sites are inhospitable to hatchlings. Field biologists have long been intrigued by the environmental conditions survived by hatchlings using terrestrial hibernacula, especially nests that ultimately serve as winter refugia. Hatchlings are unable to feed, although as metabolism is greatly reduced in hibernation, they are not at risk of starvation. Dehydration and injury from cold are more formidable challenges. Differential tolerances to these stressors may explain variation in hatchling overwintering habits among turtle taxa. Much study has been devoted to the cold-hardiness adaptations exhibited by terrestrial hibernators. All tolerate a degree of chilling, but survival of frost exposure depends on either freeze avoidance through supercooling or freeze tolerance. Freeze avoidance is promoted by behavioral, anatomical, and physiological features that minimize risk of inoculation by ice and ice-nucleating agents. Freeze tolerance is promoted by a complex suite of molecular, biochemical, and physiological responses enabling certain organisms to survive the freezing and thawing of extracellular fluids. Some species apparently can switch between freeze avoidance or freeze tolerance, the mode utilized in a particular instance of chilling depending on prevailing physiological and environmental conditions.

Energy expenditure during flight in relation to body mass: effects of natural increases in mass and artificial load in Rose Coloured Starlings

Rose Coloured Starlings (Sturnus roseus) flew repeatedly for several hours in a wind tunnel while undergoing spontaneous variation in body mass. The treatments were as follows: flying unrestrained (U), with a control harness of 1.2% of their body mass (C), or with a harness of 7.4% of their body mass, which was either applied immediately before the flight (L_S) or at least 9 days in advance (L_L). Energy expenditure during flight (e_f in W) was measured with the Doubly Labelled Water method. Flight costs in L_S and L_L were not significantly different and therefore were pooled (L). The harness itself did not affect e_f, i.e. U and C flights were not different. e_f was allometrically related with body mass m (in g). The slopes were not significantly different between the treatments, but e_f was increased by 5.4% in L compared to C flights (log₁₀(e_f) = 0.050 + 0.47 × log₁₀(m) for C, and log₁₀(e_f) = 0.073 + 0.47 × log₁₀(m) for L). The difference in e_f between C, L_S and L_L was best explained by taking the transported mass m_transp (in g) instead of m into account (log₁₀(e_f) = −0.08 + 0.54 × log₁₀(m_transp)). Flight costs increased to a lesser extent than expected from interspecific allometric comparison or aerodynamic theory, regardless of whether the increase in mass occurred naturally or artificially. We did not observe an effect of treatment on breast muscle size and wingbeat frequency. We propose that the relatively low costs at a high mass are rather a consequence of immediate adjustments in physiology and/or flight behaviour than of long-term adaptations.

Tribute to P. L. Lutz: cardiac performance and cardiovascular regulation during anoxia/hypoxia in freshwater turtles

Freshwater turtles overwintering in ice-covered ponds in North America may be exposed to prolonged anoxia, and survive this hostile environment by metabolic depression. Here, we review their cardiovascular function and regulation, with particular emphasis on the factors limiting cardiac performance. The pronounced anoxia tolerance of the turtle heart is based on the ability to match energy consumption with the low anaerobic ATP production during anoxia. Together with a well-developed temporal and spatial energy buffering by creatine kinase, this allows for cellular energy charge to remain high during anoxia. Furthermore, the turtle heart is well adapted to handle the adverse effects of free phosphate arising when phosphocreatine stores are used. Anoxia causes tenfold reductions in heart rate and blood flows that match the metabolic depression, and blood pressure is largely maintained through increased systemic vascular resistance. Depression of the heart rate is not driven by the autonomic nervous system and seems to arise from direct effects of oxygen lack and the associated hyperkalaemia and acidosis on the cardiac pacemaker. These intra- and extracellular changes also affect cardiac contractility, and both acidosis and hyperkalaemia severely depress cardiac contractility. However, increased levels of adrenaline and calcium may, at least partially, salvage cardiac function under prolonged periods of anoxia.

Lactate metabolism in anoxic turtles: an integrative review

Painted turtles can accumulate lactic acid to extremely high concentrations during long-term anoxic submergence, with plasma lactate exceeding 200 mmol l(-1). The aims of this review are twofold: (1) To summarize aspects of lactate metabolism in anoxic turtles that have not been reviewed previously and (2) To identify gaps in our knowledge of turtle lactate metabolism by comparing it with lactate metabolism during and after exercise in other vertebrates. The topics reviewed include analyses of lactate's fate during recovery, the effects of temperature on lactate accumulation and clearance, the interaction of activity and recovery metabolism, fuel utilization during recovery, stress hormone responses during and following anoxia, and cellular lactate transport mechanisms. An analysis of lactate metabolism in anoxic turtles in the context of the 'lactate shuttle' hypothesis is also presented.

Adenosine does not save the heart of anoxia-tolerant vertebrates during prolonged oxygen deprivation

Despite adenosine being regarded as an important signaling molecule capable of coordinating ATP supply and demand during periods of oxygen deprivation in anoxia-intolerant mammals, the importance of adenosinergic cardiovascular control in anoxia-tolerant vertebrates is poorly understood. Here, we report on adenosinergic cardiovascular control during normoxia and prolonged (hours to days) oxygen deprivation for three vertebrate species tolerant of severe hypoxia/anoxia, the closely related common (Cyprinus carpio) and crucian (Carassius carassius) carp, and the freshwater turtle (Trachemys scripta). Using an intra-arterial injection of the non-specific adenosine receptor antagonist aminophylline while measuring cardiac output (Q), heart rate (f(H)) and arterial blood pressure, we establish that adenosinergic cardiovascular control is unimportant during prolonged anoxia in the freshwater turtle (6 h at 21 degrees C and 14 d at 5 degrees C) and the crucian carp (5 d at 8 degrees C). In contrast, adenosinergic control contributes to the down-regulation of cardiac activity exhibited by 5 degrees C-acclimated common carp during a 12.5 h severe hypoxia (<0.3 mg O2 l(-1)) exposure. Specifically, aminophylline injection resulted in significant increases in f(H) and Q, and a decrease in total peripheral resistance. These species-specific differences in adenosinergic cardiovascular control during prolonged periods of oxygen deprivation may be related to differences displayed by these three species in their anoxia tolerance and survival strategies.

Effects of temperature on anoxic submergence: skeletal buffering, lactate distribution, and glycogen utilization in the turtle, Trachemys scripta

To test the hypothesis that submergence temperature affects the distribution of the lactate load and glycogen utilization during anoxia in turtles, we sampled a variety of tissues after 7 days, 24 h, and 4 h of anoxic submergence at 5, 15, and 25°C, respectively. These anoxic durations were chosen because we found that they produced similar decreases in plasma HCO3− (∼18–22 meq/l). The sampled tissues included ventricle, liver, small intestine, carapace, and the following muscles: flexor digitorum longus, retrahens capitis, iliofibularis, and pectoralis. Shell and skeleton sequestered 41.9, 34.1, and 26.1% of the estimated lactate load at 5, 15, and 25°C. The changes in plasma Ca2+ and Mg2+, relative to the estimated lactate load, decreased with increased temperature, indicating greater buffer release from bone at colder temperatures. Tissue lactate contents, relative to plasma lactate, increased with the temperature of the submergence. Glucose mobilization and tissue glycogen utilization were more pronounced at 15 and 25°C than at 5°C. We conclude that, in slider turtles, the ability of the mineralized tissue to participate in the buffering of lactic acid during anoxia is inversely related to temperature, causing the lactate burden to shift to the tissues at warmer temperatures. Muscles utilize glycogen during anoxia more at warmer temperatures.

Effect of temperature and prolonged anoxia exposure on electrophysiological properties of the turtle (Trachemys scripta) heart

Cardiac activity of the turtle (Trachemys scripta) is greatly depressed with cold acclimation and anoxia. We examined what electrophysiological modifications accompany and perhaps facilitate this depression of cardiac activity. Turtles were first acclimated to 21 degrees C or 5 degrees C and held under either normoxic or anoxic (6 h at 21 degrees C; 14 days at 5 degrees C) conditions. We then measured cardiac action potentials (APs) using spontaneously contracting whole heart preparations and whole cell current densities of sarcolemmal ion channels using isolated ventricular myocytes under appropriate normoxic and anoxic conditions. Compared with 21 degrees C-acclimated turtles, 5 degrees C-acclimated turtles exhibited a less negative resting membrane potential (by 18-29 mV), a 4.7- to 6.8-fold slower AP upstroke rate, and a 4.2- to 4.9-fold greater AP duration. Correspondingly, peak densities of ventricular voltage-gated Na(+) (I(Na)) and L-type Ca(2+) currents and inward slope conductances of inward rectifier K(+) (I(K1)) channel current were approximately 1/7th (Q(10) = 3.4), 1/13th (Q(10) = 5.0), and one-half (Q(10) = 1.4) of those of 21 degrees C-acclimated ventricular myocytes, respectively. With anoxia at 21 degrees C, peak I(Na) density doubled and ventricular AP duration increased by 47%, a change proportional to the reported approximately 30% reduction of intrinsic heart rate. In contrast, with anoxia at 5 degrees C, ventricular AP characteristics were unaffected; of the ion currents investigated, only the inward conductance via I(K1) changed significantly (reduced by 46%). The present findings indicate that cold temperature, more so than prolonged anoxia, results in substantial modifications of cardiac APs and reduction of ventricular ion current densities. These changes likely prepare cardiac muscle for winter anoxia conditions.

Lactate uptake by skeletal bone in anoxic turtles, Trachemys scripta

Previous studies have shown that freshwater turtle shells can accumulate lactate during periods of anoxic submergence. Our objective in this study was to determine lactate uptake in other parts of the turtle's skeleton. We measured lactate concentration of 7 skeletal elements and 4 shell samples of red-eared slider turtles, Trachemys scripta, in control animals (N=12) and in animals following submergence for 4-5 days in N(2)-equilibrated water at 10 degrees C (N=8). We also collected blood samples and measured blood pH, PCO(2), and PO(2), and plasma lactate. Contralateral bone samples from 6 control turtles were analyzed for % water and mineral composition; bone from the other 6 were equilibrated with lactate solution in vitro. Anoxic submergence resulted in a combined respiratory/non-respiratory (lactic) acidosis and plasma lactate of 45.6+/-2.5 mmol l(-1). Shell and skeletal lactates all increased significantly in the anoxic animals (30.1-43.9 mmol kg(-1)) with limb bones having the highest levels and skull the least. Skeletal samples equilibrated in lactate solution in vitro for 2 days accumulated lactate in similar fashion with limb bones, except for fibula, higher, and skull significantly less than other bones. We conclude that the entire skeleton of the red-eared slider, like its shell, sequesters lactate and contributes thereby to lactic acid buffering.

Comparative shell buffering properties correlate with anoxia tolerance in freshwater turtles

Freshwater turtles as a group are more resistant to anoxia than other vertebrates, but some species, such as painted turtles, for reasons not fully understood, can remain anoxic at winter temperatures far longer than others. Because buffering of lactic acid by the shell of the painted turtle is crucial to its long-term anoxic survival, we have tested the hypothesis that previously described differences in anoxia tolerance of five species of North American freshwater turtles may be explained at least in part by differences in their shell composition and buffering capacity. All species tested have large mineralized shells. Shell comparisons included 1) total shell CO2concentration, 2) volume of titrated acid required to hold incubating shell powder at pH 7.0 for 3 h (an indication of buffer release from shell), and 3) lactate concentration of shell samples incubated to equilibrium in a standard lactate solution. For each measurement, the more anoxia-tolerant species (painted turtle, Chrysemys picta; snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina) had higher values than the less anoxia-tolerant species (musk turtle, Sternotherus odoratus; map turtle, Graptemys geographica; red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta). We suggest that greater concentrations of accessible CO2(as carbonate or bicarbonate) in the more tolerant species enable these species, when acidotic, to release more buffer into the extracellular fluid and to take up more lactic acid into their shells. We conclude that the interspecific differences in shell composition and buffering can contribute to, but cannot explain fully, the variations observed in anoxia tolerance among freshwater turtles.

Effects of extracellular changes on spontaneous heart rate of normoxia-and anoxia-acclimated turtles (Trachemys scripta)

Heart rate (fH) of the anoxia-tolerant freshwater turtle (Trachemys scripta) during prolonged anoxia exposure is 2.5-to 5-times lower than the normoxic rate, but whether alterations in blood composition that accompany prolonged anoxia contribute to this bradycardia is unknown. We examined how temperature acclimation, oxygen deprivation,acidosis, hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia and adrenaline affect chronotropy in the turtle myocardium. We monitored spontaneous contraction rates of right-atrial preparations obtained from 21°C- and 5°C-acclimated turtles that had been exposed to either normoxia or anoxia (6 h at 21°C; 2 weeks at 5°C). Sequential exposures to saline solutions were designed to mimic, in a step-wise manner, the shift from a normoxic to anoxic extracellular condition (for normoxia-acclimated preparations) or the reverse (for anoxia-acclimated preparations). Our results clearly show that prolonged anoxia exposure re-sets the intrinsic fH of turtles at both temperatures, with reductions in intrinsic fH in the range of 25%–53% compared with normoxia. This intrinsic change would contribute to the bradycardia observed with prolonged anoxia. Further, we found negative chronotropic effects of extracellular anoxia, acidosis and hyperkalemia, and positive chronotropic effects of hypercalcemia and adrenaline. The exact nature of these extracellular effects depended, however,on the acclimation temperature and the prior exposure of the animal to anoxia. With normoxia-acclimated preparations at 21°C, combined anoxia and acidosis (pH reduced from ∼7.8 to ∼7.2) significantly reduced spontaneous fH by 22% and subsequent exposure to hyperkalemia (3.5 mmol l–1K+) further decreased fH. These negative chronotropic effects were ameliorated by increasing the adrenaline concentration from the tonic level of 1 nmol l–1 to 60 nmol l–1. However, in anoxia-acclimated preparations at 21°C, anoxia alone inhibited fH (by ∼30%). This negative chronotropic effect was counteracted by both hypercalcemia (6 mmol l–1Ca2+) and adrenaline (60 nmol l–1). At 5°C,only the combination of anoxia, acidosis (pH reduced from ∼8.0 to∼7.5) and hyperkalemia (3.5 mmol l–1 K+)significantly reduced spontaneous fH (by 23%) with preparations from normoxia-acclimated turtles. This negative chronotropic effect was fully reversed by hypercalcemia (10 mmol l–1Ca2+). By contrast, spontaneous fH of anoxia-acclimated preparations at 5°C was not affected by any of the extracellular changes. We conclude that prior temperature and anoxia experiences are central to determining fH during prolonged anoxia in Trachemys scripta both as a result of the re-setting of pacemaker rhythm and through the potential influence of extracellular changes.