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Science 12 April 1985:
Vol. 228. no. 4696, pp. 194 - 196
DOI: 10.1126/science.228.4696.194
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Articles

Temperature Acclimation: Improved Sustained Swimming Performance in Carp at Low Temperatures

LAWRENCE C. ROME 1, PAUL T. LOUGHNA 1, and GEOFFREY GOLDSPINK 1

1 Muscle Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Hull, Hull, England HU6 7RX

At low temperatures, the reduction in mechanical power output of the aerobic muscle forces cold-blooded animals, such as carp, to recruit their rapidly fatiguing anaerobic fibers at relatively slow swimming speeds. Previous experimental data have suggested that changes in the biochemistry and morphology of the aerobic muscle during cold acclimation might increase its output of mechanical power. The present experiments show that, because of these changes, carp can swim faster at low temperature using only their aerobic muscle, which results in an increase in their sustainable swimming speed. By modifying their musculature, cold-blooded animals can achieve some independence from the effects of seasonal changes in environmental temperature.

Submitted on September 10, 1984
Accepted on December 13, 1984


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)