Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

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

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Comparative Physiology B Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

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 (131), 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 (31). 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, (132). After a 1-week re-acclimation period, cardiovascular responses were again determined. Finally, 1-week post-pharmacological manipulation of turtles in the 132 treatment, ambient temperature was reduced to 3 °C over 24 h (32), and cardiovascular responses were again assessed. Temperature reduction from 131 to 31 decreased mean arterial blood pressure (P m) and heart rate (f H) by ~38 and ~63 %, respectively. Acute temperature reduction, from 132 to 32, decreased f H similarly, ~66 %; however, while P m decreased ~28 %, this was not significantly different than P m at 132. 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 (31 or 32). 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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altimiras J, Franklin CE,Axelsson M (1998) Relationships between blood pressure and heart rate in the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus. J Exp Biol 201:2235–2242

  • Berger PJ, Evans BK, SmithDG (1980) Localization of baroreceptors and gain of the baroreceptor-heart rate reflex in the lizard Trachydosaurus rugosus. J ExpBiol86:197-209

  • Bicego KC, Barros RCH,Branco LGS (2007) Physiology of temperature regulation: comparative aspects. Comp Biochem Physiol A 147:616–639

  • Carey HV, Andrews MT, Martin SL (2003) Mammalian hibernation: cellular and molecular responses to depressed metabolism and low temperature. Physiol Rev 83(4):1153–1181

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crocker CE, Feldman RA, Ultsch GR, Jackson DC (2000) Overwintering behavior and physiology of eastern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta picta) in Rhode Island. Can J Zool 78:936–942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crossley II DA, Wang T, Altimiras J (2000) Role of nitric oxide in the systemic and pulmonary circulation of anesthetized turtles (Trachemys scripta). J Exp Zool286:683–689

  • Galli G, Taylor EW, Wang T(2004)The cardiovascular responses of the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta to warming and cooling. J Exp Biol 207:1471–1478

  • Hagensen MK, Abe AS, Wang T (2010) Baroreflex control of heart rate in the broad-nosed caiman Caiman latirostris is temperature dependent. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 156:458–462

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hailey A, Loveridge JP (1997) Metabolic depression during dormancy in the African tortoise Kinixys spekii. Can J Zool 75:1328–1335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herbert CV (1983) The physiological responses of the turtle, Chrysemys picta bellii, to apnea, as a function of temperature. Dissertation, Brown University

  • Herbert CV, Jackson DC (1985) Temperature effects on the responses to prolonged submergence in the turtle Chrysemys picta bellii II. Metabolic rate, blood acid-base and ionic changes, and cardiovascular function in aerated and anoxic water. Physiol Zool 58:670–681

    Google Scholar 

  • Hicks JMT, Farrell AP (2000a) The cardiovascular responses of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta) acclimated to either 22 or 5 degrees C I: effects of anoxic exposure on in vivo cardiac performance. J Exp Biol 203:3765–3774

  • Hicks JMT, Farrell AP (2000b) The cardiovascular responses of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta) acclimated to either 22 or 5 degrees C II: effects of anoxia on adrenergic and cholinergic control. J ExpBiol 203:3775–3784

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hill RW, Wyse GA, Anderson M (2012) Thermal Relations. In: Hill RW, Wyse GA, Anderson M (eds) Animal physiology, 3rd edn. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, pp 225–276

  • Hochachka PW (1986) Defense strategies against hypoxia and hypothermia. Science 231:234–241

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Horwitz BA, Chau SM, Hamilton JS, Song C, Gorgone J, Saenz M, Horowitz JM, Chen CY (2013) Temporal relationships of blood pressure, heart rate, baroreflex function, and body temperature change over a hibernation bout in Syrian hamsters. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 305(7):R759–R768

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson DC (2002) Hibernating without oxygen: physiological adaptations of the painted turtle. J Physiol 543:731–737

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kumada M, Terui N, Kuwaki T (1990) Arterial baroreceptor reflex: its central and peripheral neural mechanisms. Prog Neurobiol 35:331–361

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mueller CA, Burggren WW, Crossley DA II (2013) ANG II and baroreflex control of heart rate in embryonic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 305:R855–R863

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Overgaard J, Stecyk JAW, Farrell AP, Wang T (2002) Adrenergic control of the cardiovascular system in the turtle Trachemys scripta. J Exp Biol 205:3335–3345

  • Penney DG (1987) Frogs and turtles: different ectotherm overwintering strategies. Comp Biochem Physiol A86:609–615

  • ReidIA (1996) Angiotensin II and baroreflex control of heart rate. News Physiol Sci 11:270–274

  • Sabharwal R, Coote JH, Johns EJ, Egginton S (2004) Effect of hypothermia on baroreflex control of heart rate and renal sympathetic nerve activity in anaesthetized rats. J Physiol 557:247–259

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt-Nielsen K (1997) Animal physiology: adaptation and environment. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Seebacher F, Franklin CE (2005) Physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation in reptiles: a review. J Comp Physiol B 175:533–541

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stecyk JAW, Overgaard J, Farrell AP, Wang T (2004) α-Adrenergic regulation of systemic peripheral resistance and blood flow distribution in the turtle, Trachemys scripta, during anoxic submergence at 5 degrees C and 21 degrees C. J Exp Biol 207:269–283

  • Stecyk JAW, Bock C, Overgaard J, Wang T, Farrell AP, Portner HO (2009) Correlation of cardiac performance with cellular energetic components in the oxygen-deprived turtle heart. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 297:R756–R768

  • Storey KB, Storey JM (1990) Metabolic rate depression and biochemical adaptation in anaerobiosis, hibernation and estivation. Q Rev Biol 65:145–174

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ueda Y, Suehiro E, Wei EP, Kontos HA, Povlishock JT (2004) Uncomplicated rapid posthypothermic rewarming alters cerebrovascular responsiveness. Stroke 35:601–606

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ultsch GR, Jackson DC (1982) Long-term submergence at 3 °C of the turtle Chrysemys picta bellii, in normoxic and severely hypoxic water I: survival, gas exchange and acid–base status. J Exp Biol 96:11–28

  • Warren DE, Jackson DC (2007) Effects of temperature on anoxic submergence: skeletal buffering, lactate distribution, and glycogen utilization in the turtle, Trachemys scripta. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 293:R458–R467

  • Warren DE, Jackson DC (2008) Lactate metabolism in anoxic turtles: an integrative review. J Comp Physiol B 178:133–148

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warren DE, Reese SA, Jackson DC (2006) Tissue glycogen and extracellular buffering limit the survival of red-eared slider turtles during anoxic submergence at 3 degrees C. Physiol Biochem Zool 79(4):736–744

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Willmer P, Stone G, Johnston I (2000) Environmental physiology of animals. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Career award IBN IOS-0845741 to D.A.C, IBN 9727762 and 9982671 awarded to Dr. James Hicks and Dr. Albert Bennett.

Conflicts of interest

No conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, are declared by the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA

    Dane A. Crossley II

  2. Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9NT, UK

    Oliver H. Wearing

  3. Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center (Swetox), SE-151 36, Södertälje, Sweden

    Bjorn Platzack

  4. Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 45435, USA

    Lynn K. Hartzler

  5. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA

    James W. Hicks

Authors
  1. Dane A. Crossley II
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Oliver H. Wearing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bjorn Platzack
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lynn K. Hartzler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. James W. Hicks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dane A. Crossley II.

Additional information

Communicated by H.V. Carey.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Crossley, D.A., Wearing, O.H., Platzack, B. et al. Acute and chronic temperature effects on cardiovascular regulation in the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta). J Comp Physiol B 185, 401–411 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-015-0896-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-015-0896-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation