Abstract
Antarctic fish of the family Channichthyidae (Icefishes) lack the respiratory pigments haemoglobin and myoglobin. The morphometrics and ultrastructure of the ventricular myocardium of a benthic icefish,Chaenocephalus aceratus has been compared with that of a red-blooded Notothenioid fish,Notothenia neglecta, of similar habit.
The mass of ventricular muscle as a percentage of bodyweight is 3 times greater in adultC. aceratus (0.32%) thanN. neglecta (0.11%). Myoglobin concentration in the ventricle ofN. neglecta, 20 nmoles/g, is comparable to that of temperate teleosts with similar activity patterns. The volume and surface densities of mitochondria are 41.5% and 0.32 μm−1 for Icefish and 25% and 0.15 μm−1 forN. neglecta, Cytochrome oxidase activities are similar in the two tissues whilst the volume density of myofibrils is higher forN. neglecta (47%) thanC. aceratus (29.9%).
The proliferation of mitochondria in the myocardium of Icefish will reduce the diffusion path-length for oxygen between ventricular lumen and the outer mitochondrial membrane and may compensate for the absence of myoglobin.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References cited
Barker, P.F. and Burrel, J. 1977. The Opening of the Drake Passage. Mar. Geol. 25: 15–34.
Breisch, E.A., White, F., Jones, H.M. and Laurs, R.M. 1983. Ultrastructural morphometry of the myocardium ofThunnus alalunga. Cell Tiss. Res. 233: 427–438.
Cole, R.P., Wittenberg, B.A. and Caldwell, P.R.B. 1978. Myoglobin function in th isolated flurocarbon-perfused dog heart. Am. J. Physiol. 234: H567–H572.
DeWitt, H.H. 1971. Coastal and deep-water benthic fishes of the Antarctic. Antarctic map folio series. American Geographical Society, New York, Folio 15: 1–10.
Driedzic, W.R., Stewart, J.M. and Scott, D.L. 1982. The protective effect of myoglobin during hypoxic perfusion of isolated fish hearts. J. Mol. Cell Cardio. 14: 673–677.
Driedzic, W.R. and Stewart, J.M. 1982. Myoglobin content and the activities of enzymes of energy metabolism in red and white fish hearts. J. Comp. Physiol. B, 149: 67–73.
Driedzic, W.R. 1983. The fish heart as a model system for the study of myoglobin. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 76A: 487–493.
Fitch, N.A., Johnston, I.A. and Wood, R.E. 1984. Skeletal muscle capillary supply in a fish that lacks respiratory pigments. Resp. Physiol. 57: 201–211.
Giovane, A., Martino, F. and Tota, B. 1980. Myoglobin in the heart ventricle of tuna and other fishes. Experentia 36: 219–220.
Hardman, K.D., Eylar, E.H., Ray, D.K., Banaszak, L.J. and Gurd, F.R.N. 1966. Purification of sperm whale myoglobin by low temperature fractionation with ethanol and metallic ions. J. Biol. Chem. 241: 432–442.
Hemmingson, E.A. and Douglas, E.L. 1977. Respiratory and circulatory adaptations in the absence of haemoglobin in Chaenichthyid fishes.In Adaptations within Antarctic Ecosystems, pp 479–487. Edited by G.A. Llano. Gulf Publishing, Houston, Texas.
Hirakow, R. 1971. Fine structure of theNecturus (Amphibia) heart. Am. J. Anat. 132: 401–422.
Holeton, G.F. 1970. Oxygen uptake and circulation by a haemoglobin-less Antarctic fish (Chaenocephalus aceratus Lonnberg) compared with three red-blooded Antarctic fish. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 34: 457–471.
Hureau, J.C., Petit, D., Fine, J.M. and Morneaux, M. 1977. New cytological, biochemical and physiological data on the colorless blood of the Channichthyidae (Pisces, Teleosteans, Perciformes).In Adaptations with Antarctic Ecosystems. pp. 459–477. Edited by G.A. Llano. Gulf Publishing, Houston, Texas.
Johnston, I.A., Fitch, N., Zummo, G., Wood, R.E., Harrison, P. and Tota, B. 1983. Morphometric and ultrastructural features of the ventricular myocardium of the haemuglobinless IcefishChaenocephalus aceratus. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 76A: 475–480.
Leknes, I.L. 1980. Ultrastructure of atrial endocardium and myocardium in three species of Gadidae (Teleostei). Cell Tiss. Res. 210: 1–10.
Lemanski, L.F., Fitts, E.P. and Marx, B.S. 1975. Fine structure of the heart of the Japanese Medaka,Oryzias latipes. J. Ultra. Res. 53: 37–65.
Norman, J.R. 1938. Coast Fishes. Part III. The Antarctic Zone, Discovery Rep. 18: 1–104.
Prosser, C.L. 1973. Circulation of body fluids.In Comparative Animal Physiology. pp 822–856. Edited by C.L. Prosser. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia.
Regan, C.T. 1914. Fishes. British Antarctic (“Terra Nova”) Exped. 1910 Nat. Hist. Rep. Zool. 1: 125–156.
Ruud, J.T. 1954. Vertebrates without erythrocytes and blood pigment. Nature, Lond. 173: 848–850.
Santer, R.M. and Cobb, J.L.S. 1972. The fine structure of the heart of the teleost,Pleuronectes platessa L. Z. Zellforsch. Microsk. Anat. 131: 1–14.
Sidell, B.D. 1980. Responses of goldfish (Carassius auratus L.) muscle to acclimation temperature: alterations in biochemistry and proportions of different fibre types. Physiol. Zool. 53: 98–107.
Stevens, E.D. 1972. Some aspects of gas exchange in tuna. J. Exp. Biol. 56: 809–823.
Stevens, E.D. and Randall, D.J. 1967. Changes in blood pressure, heart rate and breathing during moderate swimming activity in rainbow trout. J. Exp. Biol. 46: 307–315.
Twelves, E.L. 1972. Blood volume of two Antarctic fishes. Br. Antarct. Surv. Bull. 31: 173–182.
Walesby, N.J., Nicol, C.J.M. and Johnston, I.A. 1982. Metabolic differentiation of muscle fibres from a haemoglobinless (Champsocephalus gunnari Lonnberg) and a red-blooded (Notothenia rossii Kischer) Antarctic fish. Br. Antarct. Surv. Bull. 51: 201–214.
Wittenberg, J.B. 1970. Myoglobin-facilitated oxygen diffusion: Role of myoglobin in oxygen entry into muscle. Physiol. Rev. 50: 559–636.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Johnston, I.A., Harrison, P. Morphometrics and ultrastructure of myocardial tissue in Notothenioid fishes. Fish Physiol Biochem 3, 1–6 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02183988
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02183988