| To what extent might N2 limit dive performance in king penguins? | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 17872988 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
A mathematical model was used to explore if elevated levels of N2, and risk of decompression sickness (DCS), could limit dive performance (duration and depth) in king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus). The model allowed prediction of blood and tissue (central circulation, muscle, brain and fat) N2 tensions (P(N2)) based on different cardiac outputs and blood flow distributions. Estimated mixed venous P(N2) agreed with values observed during forced dives in a compression chamber used to validate the assumptions of the model. During bouts of foraging dives, estimated mixed venous and tissue P(N2) increased as the bout progressed. Estimated mean maximum mixed venous P(N2) upon return to the surface after a dive was 4.56+/-0.18 atmospheres absolute (ATA; range: 4.37-4.78 ATA). This is equivalent to N2 levels causing a 50% DCS incidence in terrestrial animals of similar mass. Bout termination events were not associated with extreme mixed venous N2 levels. Fat P(N2) was positively correlated with bout duration and the highest estimated fat P(N2) occurred at the end of a dive bout. The model suggested that short and shallow dives occurring between dive bouts help to reduce supersaturation and thereby DCS risk. Furthermore, adipose tissue could also help reduce DCS risk during the first few dives in a bout by functioning as a sink to buffer extreme levels of N2. |
| | |
Authors:
|
A Fahlman; A Schmidt; D R Jones; B L Bostrom; Y Handrich |
Related Documents
:
|
791308 - Cerebral responses to the addition of nitrous oxide to halothane in man. 15113478 - Perfluorocarbon emulsion improves cerebral oxygenation and mitochondrial function after... 5929338 - Measurement of arterial and capillary blood oxygen tension. 3144198 - The effect of nasal flow on breathlessness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmona... 10350538 - Comparison of cerebral blood flow and injury following intracerebral and subdural hemat... 2144308 - Carbon dioxide laser treatment of pitted acne scarring. |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: The Journal of experimental biology Volume: 210 ISSN: 0022-0949 ISO Abbreviation: J. Exp. Biol. Publication Date: 2007 Oct |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2007-09-17 Completed Date: 2007-12-12 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 0243705 Medline TA: J Exp Biol Country: England |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 3344-55 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium, UBC Marine Mammal Research Unit, ROOM 247, AERL, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada. andreas_fahlman@yahoo.com |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Adaptation, Biological Animals Decompression Sickness / veterinary Diving / physiology* Feeding Behavior Nitrogen / blood* Spheniscidae / blood*, physiology* |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
|
7727-37-9/Nitrogen |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Orientation towards prey in antlions: efficient use of wave propagation in sand.
Next Document: Chronic electrical stimulation drives mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle of a lizard, Varan...