Cardiac function and circulation in hagfishes

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Abstract
The hagfish circulation contains a high volume of blood (180 mL∙kg−1) and is remarkable for the number of accessory pumps. Cardiac output from the branchial heart of hagfishes is comparable to that of elasmobranch and most teleost fishes, but blood pressures are considerably lower than in any other vertebrate group. Cardiac output is extremely sensitive to both venous return and ventral aortic pressure (afterload). Owing to the low arterial blood pressures, myocardial power output is lower than for any other vertebrate heart. The concomitant low energy requirement of the myocardium allows ATP generated anaerobically through glycolysis to maintain cardiac output during severe hypoxia. In vivo and in vitro administration of adrenergic agonists and antagonists increase and decrease cardiac performance, respectively. This suggests that the catecholamines that are stored beneath the endothelium of the branchial and portal hearts are involved in the tonic control of cardiac function.

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