Biomaterial Database

Acid-base status and electrolytes in red blood cells and plasma of turtles submerged at 3 degrees C. 1987

L A Maginniss, and B M Hitzig

Two groups of adult Chrysemys picta bellii were studied; control turtles were maintained at 24 degrees C with free access to air, and diving animals were continuously submerged for 8.5-9.5 wk in aerated water at 3 degrees C. Cold submergence elicited a substantial lactic acidosis (blood pH 7.70; plasma [lactate-] 42.5 meq/l H2O). This acid load was largely balanced by changes in plasma strong ions; [Cl-] decreased, and [Ca2+] and [Mg2+] increased. Phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance showed a significant reduction in the transerythrocyte pH gradient of diving animals (control, delta pH 0.66-0.90; diving, 0.00-0.11). This relative alkalosis of submerged turtle red cells was related to changes in blood cell (RBC) volume and composition; mean corpuscular concentration of hemoglobin [( Hb]) and RBC H2O content measurements revealed a 39% increase in RBC volume. Cell volume change was effected by a proportionally greater influx of K+ than Cl-, providing ionic compensation for the lactic acidosis. The obligatory H2O influx, which decreased the effective concentration of protein anion, and a 77% reduction of RBC [ATP] further contributed to the relative alkalosis. The combined effects of RBC alkalization and reduced [ATP] account for the observed Hb-O2 binding properties previously reported for submerged turtles at 3 degrees C (15).

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007101	Immersion	The placing of a body or a part thereof into a liquid.	Submersion,Immersions,Submersions
D008297	Male		Males
D003080	Cold Temperature	An absence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably below an accustomed norm.	Cold,Cold Temperatures,Temperature, Cold,Temperatures, Cold
D004573	Electrolytes	Substances that dissociate into two or more ions, to some extent, in water. Solutions of electrolytes thus conduct an electric current and can be decomposed by it (ELECTROLYSIS). (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Electrolyte
D004906	Erythrocyte Count	The number of RED BLOOD CELLS per unit volume in a sample of venous BLOOD.	Blood Cell Count, Red,Erythrocyte Number,Red Blood Cell Count,Count, Erythrocyte,Counts, Erythrocyte,Erythrocyte Counts,Erythrocyte Numbers
D004912	Erythrocytes	Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN.	Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
D005260	Female		Females
D000136	Acid-Base Equilibrium	The balance between acids and bases in the BODY FLUIDS. The pH (HYDROGEN-ION CONCENTRATION) of the arterial BLOOD provides an index for the total body acid-base balance.	Anion Gap,Acid-Base Balance,Acid Base Balance,Acid Base Equilibrium,Anion Gaps,Balance, Acid-Base,Equilibrium, Acid-Base,Gap, Anion,Gaps, Anion
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014426	Turtles	Any reptile including tortoises, fresh water, and marine species of the order Testudines with a body encased in a bony or cartilaginous shell consisting of a top (carapace) and a bottom (plastron) derived from the ribs.	Sea Turtles,Terrapins,Tortoises,Sea Turtle,Terrapin,Tortoise,Turtle,Turtle, Sea,Turtles, Sea