Organ blood flow haemodynamics and metabolism of the albacore tuna Thunnus alalunga (Bonnaterre).

Abstract

Metabolic haemodynamic, and organ blood flow measurements were made in tabled, partially anaesthetized albacore Thunnus alalunga. Heart rates were 115 +/- 9 beats/min: blood pressure 98/75 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic): cardiac output 36.1 +/- 5 (ml/min/kg): oxygen consumption 3.4 +/- 0.7 (ml O2/min/kg) and cardiac contractility (dP/dt) 6342 +/- 822 mm Hg/s. Organ blood flows were measured with radiolabelled microspheres. The red muscle, kidney, and spleen received the highest flows and the white-muscle the least. There was a flow gradient in the white-muscle with the inner portion near the red-muscle receiving the highest flows. Arterial and venous blood gas measurements showed a reverse temperature effect on arterial PO2 and a P50 of 15.9 Torr corrected to 37 degrees C. Red-muscle temperature was 7 degrees C higher than ambient water temperature. These measurements record the albacore's markedly high cardiovascular capability.