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Drug induced changes in cardio-vascular parameters in the Atlantic cod,Gadus morhua

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Summary

Ventral (VAP) and dorsal (DAP) aortic blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (\(\dot Q\)) were recorded simultaneously in unanaesthetized Atlantic cod, and the effects of vasoactive drugs on the cardio-vascular parameters studied. Mean resting values for the parameters were VAP=4,39 kPa, DAP=2,49 kPa, HR=41 beats/min, and\(\dot Q\) = 29,1 ml/min×kg. Adrenaline constricted the systemic vasculature, dilated the branchial vasculature and caused a decrease of HR and\(\dot Q\) due to a cholinergic reflex. After atropine pre-treatment this reflex was abolished, and the effect of adrenaline on blood pressure enhanced. A small decrease in\(\dot Q\) persisted after atropine, presumably reflecting the effect of an increased end-systolic afterload.

Phenylephrine produced a weak increase in systemic vascular resistance, while isoprenaline lowered both systemic and branchial vascular resistance. The effect of isoprenaline is probably mediated by beta adrenoceptors in both vascular beds, since propranolol antagonizes the effect.

Acetylcholine in low doses produces a drop in\(\dot Q\) without affecting HR, while higher doses also stop the heart. There is no significant change in either branchial and systemic vascular resistance after acetylcholine.

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Abbreviations

VAP :

mean ventral aortic blood pressure

DAP :

mean dorsal aortic blood pressure

TBPD :

trans-branchial blood pressure drop

HR :

heart rate

SV :

stroke volume

\(\dot Q\) :

cardiac output (ventral aortic blood flow)

VR g :

branchial vascular resistance

VR s :

systemic vascular resistance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoophysiology, University of Göteborg, Fack, S-400 33, Göteborg, Sweden

    Knut Pettersson & Stefan Nilsson

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  1. Knut Pettersson
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  2. Stefan Nilsson
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Pettersson, K., Nilsson, S. Drug induced changes in cardio-vascular parameters in the Atlantic cod,Gadus morhua . J Comp Physiol B 137, 131–138 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00689211

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