A comparative study of hepatic mitochondrial oxygen consumption in four vertebrates by using Clark-type electrode

The present study was undertaken to establish a comparative account on hepatic mitochondrial oxygen consumption of Clarias gariepinus (fish), Bufo melanostictus (amphibian), Gallus gallus (bird) and Rattus norvegicus (mammal) and to correlate it with their specific metabolic rate (SMR). Mitochondrial oxygen consumption was measured with a Clarke-type electrode with succinate and pyruvate/malate as substrates. ADP was used to start state-III respiration. The results show that rats and chickens have higher oxygen consumption rate than that of fish and toads. Similarly, a species and substrate specific difference was also noticed in P/O (phosphate utilized per oxygen atom) ratio and respiratory control index. In case of rat, a significant negative correlation was noticed between P/O ratio and SMR with succinate as substrate. It is surmised that the observed difference in the mitochondrial respiration and P/O ratio in the above vertebrates is due to the difference in their metabolic activities.