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Effects of hypercarbia on blood gases and pulmonary ventilation in the lizard Tupinambis merianae
Author(s) -
Sanchez Adriana Paula,
Zena Lucas Aparecido,
Silva Glauber Santos Ferreira,
Giusti Humberto,
Glass Mogens Lesner
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1398-d
Subject(s) - hypercarbia , aestivation , hyperventilation , hypercapnia , pco2 , lizard , context (archaeology) , anesthesia , zoology , biology , respiratory system , medicine , ecology , acidosis , paleontology
Reptiles depend on external heat sources and behavioral adjustments to alter their body temperature. Thus, reptiles may become inactive during cold periods. Moreover, many reptiles enter a seasonal dormancy that can extend for months. In this context, we investigated the effects of hypercarbia on acid‐base status and on ventilatory responses during activity (A) and estivation (E). The femoral artery was catheterized and then the animals were submitted to two levels of hypercarbia in the gas phase (PCO 2 ~ 20.8 mmHg and PCO 2 ~ 41.6 mmHg) during 60 min. The ventilatory responses and blood gases were measured during the active season and, subsequently, during the period of aestivation. The hypercarbic responses were larger during the active season when compared to aestivation. Moreover the arterial PO 2 and PCO 2 were elevated relative to the values during aestivation. On the other hand pHa and bicarbonate levels were independent of season. This represents a down‐regulation of ventilatory responses during dormancy. Financial support for this work was provided by FAPESP and FAEPA.