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Brain amino acid concentrations during diving and acid-base stress in turtles
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|June 1, 1985
Summary
Brain amino acid neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and taurine change during breath-hold diving. Alterations in these neurotransmitters may explain reduced breathing drive in diving turtles.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Marine Biology
- Animal Physiology
Background:
- Diving animals exhibit reduced respiratory drive during breath-hold.
- Amino acid neurotransmitters play critical roles in regulating physiological functions, including respiration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in brain amino acid neurotransmitter concentrations during apneic diving in turtles.
- To determine the relationship between these neurotransmitter changes and the attenuated ventilatory drive observed during diving.
Main Methods:
- Turtles were subjected to 2 hours of apneic diving or controlled conditions (hypercapnia, anoxia, anoxia plus hypercapnia, or air breathing).
- Brain tissue was analyzed post-exposure to measure concentrations of free amino acids, specifically focusing on inhibitory neurotransmitters.
Main Results:
- Significant alterations in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and taurine concentrations were observed.
- GABA levels increased under anoxia, while taurine decreased during diving and increased under anoxia plus hypercapnia.
Conclusions:
- Changes in brain GABA and taurine concentrations are associated with the reduced central ventilatory drive during diving in turtles.
- These findings suggest a neurochemical mechanism underlying breath-hold adaptation in marine animals.