Abstract
Oxygen transfer in viviparous vertebrates is facilitated by the close proximity of fetal and maternal circulatory systems. Among the fishes, facilitation is accomplished by a remarkable diversity of maternal-fetal anatomical specializations. Maternal-fetal O2 transfer is further enhanced by a fetal blood which has a higher O2 affinity than that of the adult. The diversity of anatomical specializations suggests that there may be a similar variety of molecular specializations as well to ensure a relatively high fetal blood O2 affinity. Study of adult and fetal bloods of the seaperch, Embiotoca lateralis have shown that fetal blood has a higher O2 affinity than that of the adult. It appears that the E. lateralis fetus utilizes a different hemoglobin and a lower organic phosphate concentration to ensure this higher blood O2 affinity; a lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration may contribute to the higher O2. affinity as well. A higher fetal than adult O2 affinity of whole blood exists in at least some sharks. The molecular basis for such affinity differences also appears to involve different fetal and adult hemoglobins; different intraerythrocytic organic phosphate concentrations may contribute as well. However, further studies are required to clarify the molecular basis of the facilitation of maternal-fetal O2 transfer in the fishes.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Amoroso, E.C. (1960). Viviparity in Fishes. Symp. Zool. Soc. (Land.) 1: 153–181.
Bard, H. and Teasdale, F. (1979). Red cell oxygen affinity. hemoglobin type, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, and pH as a function of fetal development. Pediatrics 64: 483–487.
Bartlett, G.R. (1978). Water-soluble phosphates of fish red cells. Can. J. Zool. 56: 870–877.
Bartlett, G.R. (1980). Phosphate compounds in vertebrate red blood cells. Am. Zool. 20: 103–114.
Bartlett, G.R. (1982). Phosphate compounds in red cells of two dogfish sharks: Squalus acanthias and - Mustelus cants. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 73A: 135–140.
Bauer, C., Ludwig, I. and Ludwig, M. (1968). Different effects of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and adenosine triphosphate on the oxygen affinity of adult and fetal human haemoglobin. Life Sci. 7: 1339–1343.
Bauer, C., Jelkmann, W. and Moll, W. (1981). High oxygen affinity of maternal blood reduces fetal weight in rats. Respir. Physiol. 43: 169–178.
Baumann, R. Bauer, C. and Ratschlag-Schaefer, A.M. (1972). Causes of the postnatal decrease of blood oxygen affinity in lambs. Respir. Physiol. 15: 151–158.
Bellingham, A.J., Detter. J.C. and Lenfant, C. (1971). Regulatory mechanisms of hemoglobin oxygen affinity in acidosis and alkalosis. J. Clin. Invest. 50: 700–706.
Benesch. R. and Benesch. R.E. (1967). The effect of organic phosphates from the human erythrocyte on the allosteric properties of hemoglobin. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 26: 162–167.
Benesch, R. and Benesch. R.E. (1969). Intracellular organic phosphates as regulators of oxygen release by haemoglobin. Nature 221: 618–622.
Blake, J. (1867). On the nourishment of the foetus in embiotocid fishes. Proc. Calif. Acad. Nat. Sci. 3: 314–317.
Blunt, M.II., Kitchen, J.L.. Mayson, S.M. and Huisman, T.H.J. (1971). Red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and oxygen affinity in newborn goats and sheep. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 138: 800–803.
Bunn, H.F. and Kitchen, H. (1973). Hemoglobin function in the horse: the role of 2,3-diphospho-glycerate in modifying the oxygen affinity of maternal and fetal blood. Blood 42: 471–479.
Chanutin, A. and Curnish. R.R. (1967). Effect of organic and inorganic phosphates on the oxygen equilibrium of human erythrocytes. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 121: 96–102.
Coates, M.L. (1975). hemoglobin function in the vertebrates: an evolutionary model J. Mol. Evol. 6: 285–307.
Cohen, D. and Wourms, J.F. (1976). Microhrotula randalli, a new viviparous Ophidioid fish from Samoa and New Hebrides, whose embryos hear trophotaeniae Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 86: 339–350.
De Simone, J and Mueller, A.L. (1979). Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) synthesis in baboons, Papio cvnocephalus. Analysis of fetal and adult hemoglobin synthesis during fetal development, Blood, 53: 19–27.
De Verdier, C.H. and Garhy, L. (1969). Low binding of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate to haemoglobin F. A contribution to the knowledge of the binding site and an explanation for the high oxygen affinity of foetal blood. Scand. J. Clin. L.ah. Invest. 23: 149–151.
Dhindsa, D.S., Hoversland, A.S. and Templeton, J.W. (1972). Postnatal changes in oxygen affinity and concentration of 2.3-diphosphoglycerate in dog blood. Biol. Neonate 20: 226–235.
Duhm,.I. (1971). Effects of 2.3-diphosphoglycerate and other organic phosphate compounds on oxygen affinity and intracellular pH of human erythrocytes. Pflügers Arch. 326: 341–356.
Duhm, J. (1976). Dual effect of 2.3-diphosphoglycerate on the Bohr effects of human blood. Pflügers Arch. 363: 55–60.
Eigenmann, C.H. (1982). Cymatogaster aggregatus Gibbons. A contribution to the ontogeny of viviparous fishes. Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm. 12: 401–478.
Forster, R.E. (1972). The effects of dilution in saline on the oxygen affinity of human hemoglobin. In: Oxygen Affinity of Hemoglobin and Red Cell Acid Base Status, M. Rorth and P. Astrup, eds., Alfred Benzon Symposium IV-Copenhagen, 1971. Academic Press, New York, pp. 162–165.
Fyhn, U.E.H. and Sullivan, B. (1975). Elasmobranch hemoglobins: dimerization and polymerization in various species. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 50B: 119–129.
Garlick, R.L., Davis, B.J., Farmer, F. Fyhn, H.J., Fyhn, U.E.H., Noble, R.W. Powers D.A., Riggs, A. and Weber, R.E. (1979). A fetal-maternal shift in the oxygen equilibrium of hemoglobin from the viviparous caecilian. Tv’phlonectes compressicuuda. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 62A: 239–244.
Gilbert, P.W. and Schlernitzauer. D.A. (1966). The placenta and gravid uterus of Carcharhinus falciformis. Copeia 1966: 451–457.
Gillen, R.G. and Riggs, A. (1971). The hemoglobins of a freshwater teleost Cichlasoma cyanoquttatum: The effects of phosphorylated organic compounds upon oxygen equilibria. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 38B: 585–595.
Grigg, G.C. and Harlow, P. (1981). A fetal-maternal shift of blood oxygen affinity in an Australian viviparous lizard. Sphenoniorphus quoyü (Reptilia, Scincidae). J. Comp. Physiol. 142: 495–499.
Hart, J.L. (1973). Pacific Fishes of Canada. Bulletin 180, Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Ottawa.
Hjorth, J.P. (1974). Genetics of Zoarces populations. VII. Fetal and adult hemoglobins and a polymorphism common to both. Hereditas 78: 69–72.
Hoar, W.S. (1969). Reproduction. In: Fish Physiology. Vol. 3. W.S. Hoar and D.J. Randall, eds., Academic Press, New York. pp. 1–72.
Hoffmann, E.K. (1977). Control of cell volume. In: Transport of Ions and Water in Animals. B.L. Gupta, R.B. Moreton, J.L. Oxchman and B.J. Wall, eds., Academic Press, London, pp. 285–332.
Ingermann, R.L. and Terwilliger. R.C. (1981a). Oxygen affinities of maternal and fetal hemoglobins of the viviparous seaperch, Embiotoca lateralis. J. Comp. Physiol.142: 523–531.
Ingermann, R.L. and Terwilliger, R.C. (1981b). Intraerythrocytic organic phosphates of fetal and adult seaperch (Embiotoca lateralis): their role in maternal-fetal oxygen transport. J. Comp. Physiol. 144: 253–259.
Ingermann, R.L. and Terwilliger, R.C. (1982). Blood parameters and facilitation of maternal-fetal oxygen transfer in a viviparous fish (Embiotoca lateralis). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 73A: 497–501.
Ingermann, R.L., Terwilliger. R.C. and Roberts. M.S. (1984). Foetal and adult blood oxygen affinities of the viviparous seaperch, Embiotoca lateralis. J. Exp. Biol. In press.
Kitchen, H. and Brett, I. (1974). Embryonic and fetal hemoglobin in animals. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 241: 653–671.
Kristofferson, R., Broberg, S. and Pekkarinen, M. (1973). Histology and physiology of embryotrophe formation, embryonic nutrition and growth in the eel pout. Zoarces viviparus (L.). Ann. Zool. Fennici 10: 467–477.
Laver, M.B., Jackson, E., Scherperel, M.. ‘Tung, C., Tung, W. and Radford, E.P. (1977). Hemoglobin-O affinity regulation: DPG, monovalent anions, and hemoglobin concentration. J. Appl. Physiol.: Respir. Environ. Exercise Physiol. 43: 632–642.
Leray. C. (1979). Patterns of purine nucleotides in fish erythrocytes. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 64B: 77–82.
MacKnight, A.D.C. and Leaf, A. (1977). Regulation of cellular volume. Physiol. Rev., 57: 510–573.
Manwell, C. (1958a). A ‘fetal-maternal shift’ in the ovoviviparous spiny dogfish Squalus suckleyi (Girard). Physiol. Zool. 31: 93–100.
Manwell, C. (1958b). Ontogeny of hemoglobin in the skate Raja binoculata. Science 128: 419–420.
Manwell, C. (1963). Fetal and adult hemoglobins of the spiny dogfish Squalus suckleyi. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 101: 504–511.
Manwell, C. and Baker. C.M.A. (1970). Molecular Biology and the Origin of Species. University of Washington Press, Seattle.
McCutcheon, F.H. (1947). Specific oxygen affinity of hemoglobin in elasmobranchs and turtles. J. Cell. Comp. Physiol. 29: 333–344.
McMenamin, J. W. (1979). Functional morphology of sheathed blood vessels in the ovarian curtains of embiotocid fishes. Am. Zool. 19: 947 (abst).
Meschia, G. (1978). Evolution of thinking in fetal respiratory physiology. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 132: 806–813.
Novy. M.J. and Parer, J.T. (1969). Absence of high blood oxygen affinity in the fetal cat. Respir. Physiol. 6: 144–150.
Pennelly. R.R., Noble, R.W. and Riggs. A. (1975). Equilibria and ligand binding kinetics of hemoglobins from the sharks. Prionace glauca and Carcharhinus milberti. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 52B: 83–87.
Perutz, M.F. (1970). Stereochemistry of cooperative effects in haemoglobin. Nature 228: 726–739.
Perutz, M.F. and Brunori. M. (1982). Stereochemistry of cooperative effects in fish and amphibian haemoglobins. Nature 299: 421–426.
Ramsey. E.M. (1982). The Placenta: Human and Animal. Praeger Publi., New York.
Schlernitzauer, D.A. and Gilbert. P.W. (1966). Placentation and associated aspects of gestation in the bonnethead shark. Sphvrna tiburo. J. Morphol. 120: 219–232.
Sinet, M., Joubin, C. Lachia, L. and Pocidalo. J.J. (1976). Effect of osmotic changes on intracellular pH and haemoglobin oxygen affinity of human erythrocytes. Biomedicine 25: 66–69.
Takenaka, O. and Morimoto. H. (1976). Oxygen equilibrium characteristics of adult and fetal hemoglobin of japanese monkey I Macaca fuscata). Biochim. Biophys. Acta 446: 457–462.
Turner, C.L. (1936). The absorptive processes in the embryos of Parabrotula dentiens, a viviparous, deep-sea brotulid fish. J. Morphol. 59: 313–325.
Turner, C.L. (1937). The trophotaeniae of the Goodeidae, a family of viviparous cyprinodont fishes. J. Morphol. 61: 495–523.
Turner, C.L. (1938). Histological and cytological changes in the ovary of Cymatogaster aggregatus during gestation. J. Morphol. 62: 351–373.
Turner. C.L. (1940a). Pseudoamnion, pscudochorion, and follicular pseudoplacenta of poeciliid fishes. J. Morphol. 67: 59–89.
“Turner, C.L. (1940b). Follicular pseudoplacenta and gut modifications in anablepid fishes. J. Morphol. 67: 91–105.
Turner, C.L. (1940c). Pericardial sac. trophotaeniae, and alimentary tract in embryos of goodeid fishes. J. Morphol. 67: 271–289.
Turner, C.L. (1940d). Adaptations for viviparity in jenynsiid fishes. J. Morphol 67: 291–297.
Turner, C.L. (1952). An accessory respiratory device in embryos of the embiotocid fish, Cymatogaser aggregata, during gestation. Copeia 1952: 146–147.
Tweeddale, P.M. (1973). DPG and the oxygen affinity of maternal and foetal pigblood and hemoglobins. Respir. Physiol. 19: 12 - I8.
Tyuma, I. and Shimizu, K. (1969). Different response to organic phosphates of human fetal blood and adult hemoglobins. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 129: 404–405.
Veith, W.J. (1980). Viviparity and embryonic adaptations in the teleost Clinus superciliosus. Can. J. Zool. 58: 1–12.
Webb, P.W. and Brett, J.R. (1972a). Respiratory adaptations of prenatal young in the ovary of two species of viviparous seaperch, Rhacochilus vacca and Embiotoca lateralis. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 29: 1525–1542.
Webb, P.W. and Brett, J.R. (1972b). Oxygen consumption of embryos and parents, and oxygen transfer characteristics within the ovary of two species of viviparous seaperch, Rhacochilus vacca and Embiotoca lateralis. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 29: 1543–1553.
Weber, RE., Wells, R.M.G. and Rossetti, J.E. (1983a). Allosteric interactions governing oxygen equilibria in the haemoglobin system of the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias. J. Exp. Biol. 103: 109–120.
Weber, R.E., Wells, R.M.G. and Tougaard, S. (1983b). Antagonistic effect of urea on oxygenation-linked binding of ATP in an elasmobranch hemoglobin. Life Sci. 32: 2157–2161.
Wells, R.M.G. (1979). Haemoglobin-oxygen affinity in developing embryonic cells of the mouse. J. Comp. Physiol. 129: 333–338.
Wells, R.M.G. and Weber, R.E. (1983). Oxygenation properties and phosphorylated metabolic intermediates in blood and erythrocytes of the dogfish. Squalus acanthias. J. Exp. Biol. 103: 95–108.
Wood, S.C. and Johansen. K. (1972). Adaptation to hypoxia by increased HbO affinity and decreased red cell ATP concentration. Nature 237: 278–279.
Wood-Mason, J. and Alcock. A. (1891). On the uterine villiform papillae of Pteroplatea micrura, and their relation to the embryo. Proc. R. Soc. (London) 49: 359–367.
Wourms, J.P. (1981). Viviparity: the maternal-fetal relationship in fishes. Am. Zool. 21: 473–515.
Wourms, J.P. and Cohen. D. (1975). Trophotaeniae. embryonic adaptations in the viviparous ophidioid fish, Oligopus longhursti: A study of museum specimens. J. Morphol. 147: 385–401.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1984 Dr W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ingermann, R.L., Terwilliger, R.C. (1984). Facilitation of maternal-fetal oxygen transfer in fishes: Anatomical and molecular specializations. In: Seymour, R.S. (eds) Respiration and metabolism of embryonic vertebrates. Perspectives in vertebrate science, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6536-2_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6536-2_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-009-6538-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-6536-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive