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Effectors of metabolic depression in an estivating pulmonate snail (Helix aspersa): whole animal and in vitro tissue studies

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Abstract

We have examined metabolic depression in the land snail (Helix aspersa) during estivation, and have developed a tissue model of metabolic depression using an in vitro mantle preparation. The metabolic rate ofH. aspersa is depressed by 84% in vivo within 4 weeks of onset of estivation, and this metabolic depression is accompanied by a decrease in haemolymphPO2 and pH, and an increase in haemolymphPCO2. The in vitro mantle preparation has a stable O2 consumption and energy charge, and an energy charge similar to that of mantle in vivo. The in vitro mantle is an O2-conforming tissue, withVO2 varying curvilinearly withPO2. Consequently, we have developed a mathematical method of calculating tissueVO2 at anyPO2. These calculations show that under appropriate incubation conditions of pH andPO2, the mantle from estivating animals shows a stable in vitro metabolic depression of 48% compared to mantle from control snails. The extrinsic effects ofPO2 and pH account for 70% of the total in vitro metabolic depression of mantle tissue; intrinsic effectors contribute a further 30%.

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Abbreviations

BMS :

blood micro system

MD :

inetabolic depression

MR :

metabolic rate

[O 2]:

concentration of oxygen

PCO 2 :

partial pressure of carbon dioxide

PO 2 :

partial pressure of oxygen

SE :

standard error

STP :

standard temperature and pressure

VO 2 :

rate of oxygen consumption

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Centre for Native Animal Research, Biochemistry Department, University of Western Australia, 6907, Nedlands, W.A., Australia

    S. Pedler, C. J. Fuery, J. Flanigan & M. Guppy

  2. The Centre for Native Animal Research, Zoology Department, University of Western Australia, 6907, Nedlands, W.A., Australia

    P. C. Withers

Authors
  1. S. Pedler
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  2. C. J. Fuery
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  3. P. C. Withers
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  4. J. Flanigan
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  5. M. Guppy
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Communicated by H. Huddart

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Pedler, S., Fuery, C.J., Withers, P.C. et al. Effectors of metabolic depression in an estivating pulmonate snail (Helix aspersa): whole animal and in vitro tissue studies. J Comp Physiol B 166, 375–381 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02336920

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02336920

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