Characterizing respiratory capacity in belugas (Delphinapterus leucas).
Journal Article (Journal Article)
We measured respiratory flow, breath duration, and calculated tidal volume (VT ) in nine belugas (Delphinapterus leucas, mean measured body mass: 628 ± 151 kg, n = 5) housed in managed care facilities. Both spontaneous (resting at station) and trained maximal respirations (chuffs) were measured. The mean (±s.d.) inspiratory VT for spontaneous breaths (16.7 ± 4.7 l, range: 7.5-18.7 l) was larger than those predicted based on respiratory scaling equations from terrestrial mammals and was 32 ± 10% of estimated total lung capacity (TLCest ) based on an equation from static measurements made on a range of cetaceans and pinniped lungs, and 52 ± 18% of estimated vital capacities (VC , mean: 27.7 ± 8.9 l, range: 16.7-40.3 l) based on respiratory measurements obtained during trained maximal respirations. Expiratory flow (V˙exp , spontaneous: 26.1 ± 5.5 l s-1 , chuff: 66.8 ± 22.5 l s-1 ) was significantly higher as compared with inspiratory flow (V˙insp , spontaneous: 22.3 ± 4.6 l s-1 , chuff: 30.1 ± 8.4 l s-1 ), and the maximal expiratory flow recorded was 212 l s-1 . The breath duration was shorter for forced breaths (Expiration: 518 ± 101 ms; Inspiration: 905 ± 170 ms; Total: 1423 ± 227 ms) as compared with spontaneous breaths (Expiration: 995 ± 176 ms; Inspiration: 1098 ± 219 ms; Total: 2093 ± 302 ms). These data provide baseline estimates of the respiratory capacity of belugas.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Fahlman, A; Epple, A; García-Párraga, D; Robeck, T; Haulena, M; Piscitelli-Doshkov, M; Brodsky, M
Published Date
- February 2019
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 260 /
Start / End Page
- 63 - 69
PubMed ID
- 30391547
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1878-1519
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 1569-9048
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.resp.2018.10.009
Language
- eng