Normoxic limitation of maximal oxygen consumption rate, aerobic scope and cardiac performance in exhaustively exercised rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Abstract

In fish, maximum O2 consumption rate (M‧O2,max) and aerobic scope can be expanded following exhaustive exercise in hyperoxia; however, the mechanisms explaining this are yet to be identified. Here, in exhaustively exercised rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), we assessed the influence of hyperoxia on M‧O2,max, aerobic scope, cardiac function and blood parameters to address this knowledge gap. Relative to normoxia, M‧O2,max was 33% higher under hyperoxia, and this drove a similar increase in aerobic scope. Cardiac output was significantly elevated under hyperoxia at M‧O2,max because of increased stroke volume, indicating that hyperoxia released a constraint on cardiac contractility apparent with normoxia. Thus, hyperoxia improved maximal cardiac performance, thereby enhancing tissue O2 delivery and allowing a higher M‧O2,max. Venous blood O2 partial pressure (PvO2) was elevated in hyperoxia at M‧O2,max, suggesting a contribution of improved luminal O2 supply in enhanced cardiac contractility. Additionally, despite reduced haemoglobin and higher PvO2, hyperoxia treated fish retained a higher arterio-venous O2 content difference at M‧O2,max. This may have been possible because of hyperoxia offsetting declines in arterial oxygenation that are known to occur following exhaustive exercise in normoxia. If this occurs, increased contractility at M‧O2,max with hyperoxia may also relate to an improved O2 supply to the compact myocardium via the coronary artery. Our findings show M‧O2,max and aerobic scope may be limited in normoxia following exhaustive exercise as a result of constrained maximal cardiac performance and highlight the need to further examine whether or not exhaustive exercise protocols are suitable for eliciting M‧O2,max and estimating aerobic scope in rainbow trout.