Comparison of the response of muskrat, rabbit, and guinea pig heart muscle to hypoxia.

Papillary muscles were removed from anesthetized muskrats and rabbits and mounted in a muscle chamber maintained at 29 degrees C. Muscles were stimulated at a rate of 12/min and subjected to 30 min of hypoxia followed by 30 min of reoxygenation. Peak tension in muskrats declined less than peak tension in rabbits during oxygen deprivation. During reoxygenation, peak tension in muskrats rapidly returned to control levels and then exceeded control, whereas peak tension in rabbits never recovered. Time to peak tension was largely unaffected in muskrats during hypoxia and decreased in rabbits. During reoxygenation, time to peak tension increased in muskrats and returned to control in rabbits. Hearts from muskrats and guinea pigs were removed under ether anesthesia and perfused retrograde with a physiological saline solution. Developed tension, heart rate, coronary blood flow, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) output were monitored. During 30 min of hypoxia, muskrat hearts developed a profound bradycardia compared to guinea pigs. Coronary flow increased in both species but less so in muskrats. Guinea pig hearts developed contracture whereas muskrat hearts relaxed. During reoxygenation heart rate and coronary blood flow returned toward normal but cells released large amounts of LDH, indicating cell damage. It is concluded that the isolated heart of the muskrat, a diving mammal, is better able to deal with hypoxia than the heart of the nondividing guinea pig and rabbit.