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Absence of atrial smooth muscle in the heart of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta): a re-evaluation of its role in diving physiology.

Leah M CostelloDaniel García-PárragaJose Luis Crespo-PicazoJonathan R CoddHolly A ShielsWilliam Joyce
Published in: The Journal of experimental biology (2022)
Contraction of atrial smooth muscle in the hearts of semi-aquatic emydid turtles regulates ventricular filling, and it has been proposed that it could regulate stroke volume during characteristic rapid transitions in cardiac output associated with diving. For this hypothesis to be supported, atrial smooth muscle should be widely distributed in diving Testudines. To further understand the putative function and evolutionary significance of endocardial smooth muscle in Testudines, we studied the hearts of loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta (n=7), using immunohistochemistry and histology. Surprisingly, we found no evidence of prominent atrial smooth muscle in C. caretta. However, smooth muscle was readily identified in the sinus venosus. Our results suggest that atrial smooth muscle does not contribute to the diving capabilities of C. caretta, indicating that the possible roles of smooth muscle in emydid turtle hearts require a re-evaluation. In sea turtles, the sinus venosus may instead contribute to regulate cardiac filling.
Keyphrases
  • smooth muscle
  • atrial fibrillation
  • left atrial
  • catheter ablation
  • left ventricular
  • heart failure
  • risk assessment
  • brain injury
  • blood brain barrier
  • cardiac resynchronization therapy