Effects of long-term exposure to hydrostatic pressure per se (101 ATA) on eel metabolism

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• Main Authors: Simon, B., Sebert, P., Barthelemy, L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1989
• Subjects: Physiology (medical); Pharmacology; General Medicine; Physiology; Anguilla anguilla
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/y89-198; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/y89-198

Oxygen consumption, [Formula: see text], has been measured in yellow freshwater eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) exposed in normoxic conditions for 31 days at a hydrostatic pressure of 101 ATA (atmosphere absolute; 1 ATA = 0.1 MPa) using a high pressure water circulation system. The results (series I) show that from a maximal value observed at the end of compression, [Formula: see text] decreases exponentially with time [Formula: see text] then reaches a steady state [Formula: see text] at a lower level than observed at 1 ATA before compression [Formula: see text]. These observations are in agreement with the hypothesis that shallow water fish are able to adapt to pressure; the possible mechanisms of this adaptation are discussed. Results from a second experimental series show that fish previously submitted to pressure for 1 month (then decompressed to 1 ATA) adjust faster to a new pressure exposure (4 days later) than fish that have never experienced pressure exposure. This observation suggests that the mechanisms triggered by long-term pressure exposure could persist, at least in part, for several days after decompression to atmospheric pressure.Key words: eel, metabolism, hydrostatic pressure, adaptation.