Acid-base balance in ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) during involuntary submergence.

Measurements of all the major independent variables [arterial CO2 tension (PaCO2); strong-ion difference ([SID]), and total protein content, which approximate total weak acid concentration in plasma] are essential for understanding changes in acid-base balance in plasma. During involuntary submergence of 1, 2, or 4 min, PaCO2 in ducks increased and arterial pH (pHa) decreased. During 1-min dives there were no significant changes in any strong ions. In both 2- and 4-min dives, there was a significant increase in [lactate-], but because of an increase in equal magnitude of [Na+], [SID] did not change. During recovery from all dives the plasma remained acidotic for several minutes, although PaCO2 fell below predive levels in less than 1 min. [Lactate-] increased in the recovery period. There were no changes in total protein content during submergence or recovery. Breathing 100% O2 before 2-min dives caused a reduction in [lactate-] production and release during and after the dive, although due to a marked increased in PaCO2, pHa fell as low as in 4-min dives after breathing air. After 1 min of recovery, pHa returned to normal along with the restoration of the predive level of PaCO2. We conclude that the acidosis during involuntary submergence is due solely to an increase in PaCO2, whereas in recovery it is caused by decreased [SID].