Biomaterial Database

Changes in fibrinolytic activity in diving grey seals. 1998

S Lohman, and L P Folkow, and B Osterud, and G Sager

Department of Arctic Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Tromsø, Norway. susannal@fagmed.uit.no

In order to test the hypothesis that enhanced fibrinolytic activity is a factor which prevents the blood of diving seals from clotting, we instrumented two female grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) with subcutaneous electrodes for measurements of heart rate (HR) and an extradural intravertebral venous catheter for collection of blood samples before, during and after simulated dives of 10 min duration. Blood samples were used for in vitro determination of clot lysis time (CLT), which is a measure of the level of fibrinolytic activity, and for analyses of plasma levels of cortisol, noradrenaline and adrenaline (A). The seals displayed profound diving bradycardia indicative of a substantial reduction in blood flow rates (pre-dive HR: 78 (63-98) bpm; dive HR: 8 (7-10) bpm; (median (range); n = 2)) and elevated catecholamine levels (pre-dive A: 121 (98-184) pg.ml-1; peak dive/post-dive A: 3510 (447-6181) pg.ml-1), both of which are factors which promote blood coagulation. Nevertheless, we found that CLT always increased in connection with diving (pre-dive CLT: 436 (356-568) min; peak CLT during diving: 1380 (640-1800) min), which implies a reduced, rather than enhanced, fibrinolytic activity in this situation. These results show that enhanced fibrinolytic activity is not part of the defence system which prevents fatal clotting from occurring in diving grey seals.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009638	Norepinephrine	Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic.	Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
D001777	Blood Coagulation	The process of the interaction of BLOOD COAGULATION FACTORS that results in an insoluble FIBRIN clot.	Blood Clotting,Coagulation, Blood,Blood Clottings,Clotting, Blood
D004242	Diving	An activity in which the organism plunges into water. It includes scuba and bell diving. Diving as natural behavior of animals goes here, as well as diving in decompression experiments with humans or animals.	Divings
D004837	Epinephrine	The active sympathomimetic hormone from the ADRENAL MEDULLA. It stimulates both the alpha- and beta- adrenergic systems, causes systemic VASOCONSTRICTION and gastrointestinal relaxation, stimulates the HEART, and dilates BRONCHI and cerebral vessels. It is used in ASTHMA and CARDIAC FAILURE and to delay absorption of local ANESTHETICS.	Adrenaline,4-(1-Hydroxy-2-(methylamino)ethyl)-1,2-benzenediol,Adrenaline Acid Tartrate,Adrenaline Bitartrate,Adrenaline Hydrochloride,Epifrin,Epinephrine Acetate,Epinephrine Bitartrate,Epinephrine Hydrochloride,Epinephrine Hydrogen Tartrate,Epitrate,Lyophrin,Medihaler-Epi,Acetate, Epinephrine
D005260	Female		Females
D005342	Fibrinolysis	The natural enzymatic dissolution of FIBRIN.	Fibrinolyses
D006339	Heart Rate	The number of times the HEART VENTRICLES contract per unit of time, usually per minute.	Cardiac Rate,Chronotropism, Cardiac,Heart Rate Control,Heartbeat,Pulse Rate,Cardiac Chronotropy,Cardiac Chronotropism,Cardiac Rates,Chronotropy, Cardiac,Control, Heart Rate,Heart Rates,Heartbeats,Pulse Rates,Rate Control, Heart,Rate, Cardiac,Rate, Heart,Rate, Pulse
D006854	Hydrocortisone	The main glucocorticoid secreted by the ADRENAL CORTEX. Its synthetic counterpart is used, either as an injection or topically, in the treatment of inflammation, allergy, collagen diseases, asthma, adrenocortical deficiency, shock, and some neoplastic conditions.	Cortef,Cortisol,Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, 11,17,21-trihydroxy-, (11beta)-,11-Epicortisol,Cortifair,Cortril,Epicortisol,Hydrocortisone, (11 alpha)-Isomer,Hydrocortisone, (9 beta,10 alpha,11 alpha)-Isomer,11 Epicortisol
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
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor