Investigations into the diving response of northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) using magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy ...
To examine the physiological and biochemical changes that occur during diving, northern elephant seal pups were subjected to forced dive protocols while undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopic analysis. Splenic volume measurements were obtained in the predive, dive and postdive state...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of British Columbia
2009
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0089695 https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0089695 |
| Summary: | To examine the physiological and biochemical changes that occur during diving, northern elephant seal pups were subjected to forced dive protocols while undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopic analysis. Splenic volume measurements were obtained in the predive, dive and postdive state. Splenic contraction was initiated immediately upon facial immersion, reducing to 14.0 - 17.8% of its predive volume by minute 3 of the dive. A corresponding increase in hepatic sinus volume occurred, suggesting a direct shift of blood from the spleen to the sinus. In the postdive period, the spleen gradually dilated, achieving its maximum volume at 18-22 minutes after the dive (3.35% of body mass; n = 5). Stroke volume (SV) measurements were obtained during diving using phase contrast MR imaging. Mean resting SV was 104.94 mis ± 4.12 SEM, while SV during the dive increased significantly to a mean value of 126.12 ± 3.93 SEM. These data are in contrast to the findings of previous studies on pinnipeds, which ... |
|---|