Antarctic fishes survive exposure to carbon monoxide |
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Authors: | G. di Prisco J. A. Macdonald M. Brunori |
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Affiliation: | (1) Institute of Protein Biochemistry and Enzymology, C.N.R., I-80 125 Naples, (Italy);(2) Department of Zoology, University of Auckland, Auckland, (New Zealand);(3) Department of Biochemical Sciences, University La Sapienza, Rome, (Italy) |
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Abstract: | The extensive in vivo conversion of haemoglobin to the carbon monoxide derivative has no discernible effect on the survival of the red-blooded Antarctic fishPagothenia bernacchii. Analysis of caudally sampled blood of cannulated specimens revealed that reconversion of carbon-monoxy haemoglobin to oxyhaemoglobin was complete within 48 hours. Thus, under stress-free conditions, haemoglobin is not necessary for survival ofP. bernacchii. Red-blooded Antarctic fishes can carry oxygen necessary for routine delivery dissolved in plasma, in a similar way to the haemoglobinless Channichthyidae, although they lack the morphological and physiological adaptations which allow the latter to prosper without any haemoglobin. |
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Keywords: | Antarctic fish oxygen transport haemoglobin carbon monoxide |
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