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In utero Measurement of Heart Rate in Mouse by Noninvasive M-mode Echocardiography
Published on: November 22, 2013
Heart rate during development in the turtle embryo: effect of temperature
1Department of Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA. gbirchar@osf1.gmu.edu
Summary
Temperature significantly impacts developing reptile cardiovascular function, with effects concentrated early in development. Heart rate and cardiac output patterns reveal temperature-dependent adjustments during embryonic growth.
Area of Science:
- Herpetology
- Developmental Biology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Reptile growth occurs across diverse physical conditions, necessitating adaptable cardiovascular function.
- Limited data exists on cardiovascular development in reptiles, particularly concerning temperature effects.
- Prior research suggests temperature influences reptile growth and metabolism primarily during early development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between temperature, perinatal metabolic patterns, and cardiovascular function in developing reptiles.
- To examine how incubation temperature affects heart rate and cardiac output during embryonic and hatchling stages.
- To determine if temperature's influence on cardiovascular development aligns with its known effects on growth and metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) eggs were incubated at two temperatures: 24°C and 29°C.
- Embryonic and hatchling carcass mass, heart mass, and heart rate (HR) were measured.
- Cardiac output was estimated as the product of heart mass and HR.
Main Results:
- Incubation time was shorter at 29°C (56.2 days) than at 24°C (71.1 days).
- Carcass and heart growth followed a sigmoidal pattern, with cardiac growth relatively decreasing as incubation progressed.
- Incubation temperature significantly altered HR patterns; higher temperatures led to initially higher HRs that decreased over development.
Conclusions:
- Temperature exerts its primary effects on cardiovascular development early in the incubation period.
- Observed changes in cardiovascular function are consistent with metabolic shifts during vertebrate development.
- This study provides critical insights into reptile cardiovascular adaptation to environmental temperature during development.
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