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Myoglobin saturation in free-diving Weddell seals
G P Guyton1, K S Stanek, R C Schneider
1Department of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Weddell seals partially use muscle oxygen stores during natural dives, unlike lab simulations. This research measured myoglobin-bound O2 (MbO2) saturation in swimming muscles during free dives.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Animal Physiology
- Diving Physiology
Background:
- Seal diving behavior in natural environments differs from laboratory simulations.
- Understanding oxygen store utilization is key to seal diving adaptations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the consumption of myoglobin-bound O2 (MbO2) stores in Weddell seals during unrestrained free dives.
- To assess if MbO2 stores are utilized similarly to laboratory diving simulations.
Main Methods:
- Development of a submersible dual-wavelength laser near-infrared spectrophotometer.
- Implantation of the probe on the latissimus dorsi muscle of five Weddell seals.
- Measurement of MbO2 saturation during free dives up to 300m depth.
Main Results:
- Four seals showed a consistent decline in muscle O2 saturation during free dives.
- Desaturation rates varied based on dive duration (<17 min and >17 min).
- Two seals exhibited partial muscle O2 resaturation during dives, suggesting blood-to-muscle O2 transfer.
Conclusions:
- Weddell seals do partially consume their MbO2 stores during unrestrained free diving.
- Muscle MbO2 consumption is a feature of natural Weddell seal diving.
- Diving behavior and O2 utilization in the wild are distinct from forced laboratory conditions.