Acid base changes during recovery from disturbance and during long term hypoxic exposure in the lobsterHomarus vulgaris
✍ Scribed by McMahon, B. R. ;Butler, P. J. ;Taylor, E. W.
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1978
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 651 KB
- Volume
- 205
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0022-104X
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✦ Synopsis
Abstract
Hemolymph O~2~ and CO~2~ levels and pH were measured in lobsters (H. vulgaris) as they settled in normoxic conditions and during prolonged exposure to moderately hypoxic seawater. Initial handling and transfer to the experimental conditions resulted in a marked acidosis. Complete recovery took from 24 to 48 hours. Samples of hemolymph taken after 48 hours yielded “settled” normoxic levels for O~2~ CO~2~ and pH. Subsequent exposure to moderately hypoxic water caused an initial respiratory alkalosis associated with pronounced hyperventilation. The induced pH change was sufficient to cause a marked increase in the oxygen affinity of the hemocyanin, allowing almost complete saturation of post‐branchial (arterial) hemolymph despite a 3‐fold decrease in hemolymph oxygen tension. Prolonged exposure to hypoxia resulted in an attenuation of the hyperventilation response but hemolymph bicarbonate levels rose substantially and may have maintained pH high and thus kept oxygen affinity above the normoxic level. On return to normoxic water both ventilation volume and hemolymph carbon dioxide decreased and pH and oxygen affinity returned to normoxic levels.