Measurements of the effects of temperature on venous blood pressure in the Antarctic fish Pagothenia borchgrevinki

The Antarctic fish Pagothenia borchgrevinki has been shown to be able to survive at raised temperatures. Cardiac filling in vertebrates is influenced by venous return which itself is influenced by pressures in the major veins. The effect of temperature on venous return to the heart was investigated by cannulating the ductus cuvieri (major vein entering the heart) and the dorsal aorta and measuring the blood pressure at rest, during exercise and following an increase in temperature.