The characteristics of an isolated in situ Pagothenia borchgrevinki heart: heart rate and pressure, the effects of drugs, innervation of the heart and biochemical work of the blood and muscle tissue

The characteristics of an isolated in situ fish heart was investigated. A Pagothenia borchgrevinki fish was killed and its heart was exposed and isolated from its blood supply, but left in place within the fish carcass. Cannulae were inserted through an hepatic vein (input) and ventral aorta (output). These allowed monitoring of rate and pressure and allowed perfusion of ringer. Power and Starling curves were determined, plus the effects of the drugs acetylcholine and adrenaline. The innervation of the heart via the vagus nerve was also investigated. Blood and muscle tissue was collected for biochemical work. Levels of the antioxidants α-tocopherol and vitamin C were measured using HPLC methods and total lipids were extracted from both muscle and blood and analysed.