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Chronic developmental hypoxia alters the cardiovascular baroreflex phenotype of embryonic Common snapping turtles
Author(s) -
Crossley Dane A,
Tate Kevin B,
Elfwing Magnus,
Eme John
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.1071.11
Subject(s) - baroreflex , biology , homeostasis , hypoxia (environmental) , medicine , stressor , endocrinology , phenotype , hatchling , physiology , blood pressure , hatching , neuroscience , ecology , heart rate , genetics , chemistry , organic chemistry , oxygen , gene
Regulatory mechanisms that alter cardiovascular function to meet convective transport demands are present in all adult vertebrates, from hagfish to reptiles to mammals and birds. Logical and rapidly expanding fields of inquiry are when do these systems become evident during an organism's life span and how are physical, regulatory and functional development altered by environmental stresses? Addressing these questions using reptiles is important due to the evolutionary position of this taxa and the vulnerability of their eggs. We hypothesized that chronic 10% O 2 during snapping turtle development, a vulnerable period, would alter baroreflex function. Assessment of this classic adult cardiovascular regulatory system revealed an active reflex at 70% of incubation, similar to American alligators and some birds and mammals. Absolute baroreflex sensitivity is altered by chronic hypoxic stress prior to hatching, which coincides with hypotensive and tachycardic resting values as well as relative cardiac enlargement (2‐way ANOVA, P<0.05). Overall, the presence of a functional baroreflex for in ovo developing vertebrates suggests this mechanism plays a role in cardiovascular homeostasis, possibly coupled to variation in embryonic environment. NSF CAREER IBN IOS‐0845741 to DAC