Propranolol Impairs the Hyperventilatory Response to Acute Hypercapnia in Rainbow Trout

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Abstract
This study investigated the possible role of catecholamines in the ventilatory response of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to acute external hypercapnia. The ventilatory response to hypercapnia [partial pressure of CO2 in water of fish pre-treated with the selective β-adrenoceptor antagonist, D,L-propranolol, was compared with that of D-propranolol (an isomer with minimal β-antagonistic activity) and saline pre-treated fish (sham). A sustained 3.6-fold increase in gill ventilation volume was observed in the sham and D-propranolol-treated groups during the 30min interval of hypercapnia. Fish pre-treated with D,L-propranolol displayed a blunted hyperventilatory response to hypercapnia (1.9-fold increase at 30min). These results indicate that the β-component of an adrenergic response is involved in the usual hyperventilatory response to external hypercapnia. It is suggested that the impaired hyperventilatory response of the D,L-propranolol-treated group reflects an inhibition of central adrenergic mechanism(s) involved in the hyperventilatory reflex to respiratory acidosis.