Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ACCLIMATIZATION”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,117 records · Page 62Linked to original sources

Peripheral responses to cold: case studies from an Arctic expedition.

OBJECTIVE: An Arctic expedition provided an opportunity to examine the interaction between cold injury and peripheral acclimatization. The conditions were similar to those during which acclimatization has been demonstrated, yet they were also conducive to development of peripheral cold injury. METHODS: Extremity digit temperatures were measured during 30-minute peripheral cold-water (4 degrees C) immersion (CWI) in 2 explorers (R.G. and T.L.) before and after a 109-day Arctic ski trek (average T(air) = -21 degrees C). This self-supported trek involved carrying heavy backpacks (up to 45 kg) and hauling sleds (approximately 100 kg). RESULTS: During the expedition, the explorers' hands did not sustain frostbite, but their feet developed moderate trench foot. Unexpectedly, both men exhibited lower mean finger temperatures during CWI after the expedition in right and left hands (R.G. by 0.9 degrees C and 0.2 degrees C; T.L. by 1.8 degrees C and 1.1 degrees C), suggesting peripheral acclimatization was impaired. In contrast, mean toe temperatures during CWI were warmer in both right and left feet for T.L. (by 3.6 degrees C and 2.3 degrees C) and in the left foot for R.G. (by 1.3 degrees C) postexpedition. There was no change in R.G.'s right toe mean temperature. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that prolonged heavy load carriage may have impaired blood flow or nerve conduction in the hands and inhibited acclimatization. Our data also suggest that despite incidence of moderate trench foot, acclimatization can still occur after resolving this injury.

Acclimatization↗

Long-term exposure to intermittent hypoxia results in increased hemoglobin mass, reduced plasma volume, and elevated erythropoietin plasma levels in man.

While it is well established that highlanders have optimized their oxygen transport system, little is known about the acclimatization of those who move between different altitudes. The purpose of this study was to establish whether the acclimatization to long-term intermittent hypoxic exposure in members of the Chilean Army who frequently move from sea level to 3,550 m altitude is correlated with acute acclimatization or chronic adaptation to hypoxia. A group of officers was exposed intermittently to hypoxia for about 22 years (OI, officers at intermittent hypoxia) and a group of soldiers for 6 months (SI, soldiers at intermittent hypoxia). Both groups were compared to residents at altitude (RA) and to soldiers at sea level (SL). When compared to SL, we observed an 11% increase in total hemoglobin mass (tHb) as well as a corresponding increase in red cell volume (RCV), hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit in all three groups at altitude. Plasma volume (PV) and blood volume (BV) decreased at altitude but increased when OI and SI returned to sea level. Moreover, intermittent hypoxic exposure of OI and SI resulted in increased plasma erythropoietin (Epo) levels, which peaked on day 2 at high altitude followed by decreasing levels during the successive days, and reaching pre-altitude values in SI even when staying at altitude. In conclusion, with regard to tHb and RCV, the acclimatization to long-term intermittent hypoxia resembles the adaptation to chronic hypoxia, while PV and BV regulation mimicked acclimatization to acute hypoxia. Remarkably, finely controlled regulation of Epo expression still occurs after up to 22 years of weekly exposure to altitude.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Effect of high-altitude exposure in the elderly: the Tenth Mountain Division study.

BACKGROUND: More than 5 million people/year over age 60 visit high altitude, which may exacerbate underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease. We hypothesized that the elderly would exhibit an impaired functional capacity at altitude, with increased myocardial ischemia compared with sea level (SL). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty veterans (68+/-3 years) were studied at (1) SL, (2) acute simulated altitude to 2500 m, and (3) after 5 days of acclimatization to 2500 m. With acute altitude, PaO2 and oxyhemoglobin saturation decreased and pulmonary artery pressure increased 43%, associated with sympathetic activation. VO2peak decreased 12% acutely but normalized after acclimatization. The best predictor of VO2peak with acute altitude was VO2peak at SL (r=.94). The double product that induced 1-mm ST depression during exercise with acute altitude was 5% less than SL but normalized after acclimatization. One patient with severe coronary disease sustained a myocardial infarction after an exercise test. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate altitude exposure in the elderly is associated with hypoxemia, sympathetic activation, and pulmonary hypertension resulting in a reduced exercise capacity that is predictable based on exercise performance at SL. Patients with coronary artery disease who are well compensated at SL do well at moderate altitude, although acutely ischemia may be provoked at modestly lower myocardial and systemic work rates. The elderly acclimatize well with normalization of SL performance after 5 days. A prudent policy would be for elderly individuals, particularly those with coronary artery disease, to limit their activity during the first few days at altitude to allow this acclimatization process to occur.

Age Factors↗

Seasonal variation of sweating responses under identical heat stress.

The seasonal variation of sweating responses under identical heat stress was investigated to make clear the seasonal acclimatization in daily human life on the experiments. The heat stress of 33 degrees C air temperature, 50% relative humidity laid in the experiments was chosen as a usual daytime condition in summer in metropolitan cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. Five subjects were exposed under the identical heat stress in the climate chamber every two months through the year. Results were discussed on the mean values for five subjects. Although the relation of skin temperature to daily mean air temperature showed a variation of high in summer and low in winter before the heat stress, it rose and showed almost constant value during the heat stress. The seasonal variation of tympanic temperature appeared a little before the heat stress, but disappeared during the heat stress. The seasonal variation of sweating responses was evident, that was high in summer and low in winter. The concluding remarks are as follows: 1) It could be considered that there is a seasonal acclimatization on the threshold temperature for sweat onset. 2) The seasonal acclimatization on sweating is supposed to be caused by the seasonal acclimatization of the threshold temperature. 3) The seasonal acclimatization on sweating could be comprehended in four stages corresponding closely to the daily mean air temperature (Ta). The 1st stage is December-April when Ta < 15 degrees C, the 2nd stage is April-August when 15 degrees C < Ta < 25 degrees C, the 3rd stage is the term centering on August when Ta > 25 degrees C and the 4th stage is August-December when 15 degrees C < Ta < 25 degrees C.

Adult↗

Seasonal variation in the resting metabolic rate of male wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus from two contrasting habitats 15 km apart.

Diurnal and nocturnal resting metabolic rates of winter- and summer-acclimatized adult male wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus from two adjacent populations, 15 km apart, were measured. One population lived in deciduous woodland, and experienced a narrower daily range of temperatures than the second population, which inhabited maritime sand-dunes. Ambient temperature and body mass had significant effects on the resting metabolism of mice, excluding winter-acclimatized sand-dune animals where only temperature explained significant amounts of the observed variation. Only in this latter group could a thermoneutral zone be determined, with a lower critical temperature of ca. 25 degrees C and resting metabolism of 0.155 W. Nocturnal resting metabolic rates were significantly greater than diurnal levels. Winter acclimatization was associated with reductions in thermal conductance and resting metabolism, thus minimizing energy expenditure at rest. Site differences in thermoregulatory strategies were only found in winter, thermal conductances remained similar but mice from the sand-dunes had significantly lower metabolic rates than those from the woodland. Winter acclimatization in wood mice was influenced by factors in addition to photoperiod. Intra-specific and individual variations in resting metabolism, as shown in this study, potentially have a pronounced effect on the daily energy expenditure of a free-living animal.

Acclimatization↗

The respiratory response to inhaled carbon dioxide in man after 3 hours exposure to 3% carbon dioxide.

1. The respiratory response to inhaled 3% and 6% CO2 was measured in 10 normal subjects after a 3 h acclimatization period to 3% CO2 in an environmental chamber. Control studies were carried out after a 3 h period of breathing air in the chamber. 2. At the end of the acclimatization period studies were carried out during 20 min periods breathing 3% CO2, 6% CO2 and air. 3. At 2-min intervals during the studies measurements were made of tidal volume (Vt), breathing frequency (fR), minute ventilation (Ve), viscous pulmonary rate of work (Wp) and total viscous rate of work across the lungs and apparatus (Wt). Blood gas tensions were measured at the end of this period. 4. After acclimatization to 3% CO2 there was a significant shift in the response curves Ve/Pa,CO2 and Wt/Pa,CO2 such that subjects showed higher Pa,CO2 values for given values of Ve or Wt. There was no significant change in the slope of the response curves. 5. No correlation was found between the slope of the response curve after the control period breathing air and the degree of shift of the response curve. 6. There was no difference in respiratory pattern or in pulmonary resistance. 7. Similar results were found in two subjects studied after 24 h acclimatization to 3% CO2 but one subject also showed a significant change in the slope of the Ve/Pa,CO2 curve.

Acclimatization↗

Cold-induced peripheral vasodilation at high altitudes--a field study.

A significant reduction in cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) is observed at high altitudes. No agreement is found in the literature about acclimatization effects on CIVD. Two studies were performed to investigate the effect of altitude acclimatization on CIVD. In the first study 13 male subjects immersed the distal phalanx of the left middle finger in water of 0 degrees C for 30 min to evoke CIVD. Five subjects were exposed to altitudes of 5,100 to 7,000 m for 45 days (A). Eight subjects were exposed to an altitude of 5,100 m for <3 days (NA). The groups did not differ in age, weight, and stature. No significant differences were observed between A and NA. However, the maximum finger skin temperature of group A tended to return to sea level values (6.9 +/- 3.2 degrees C at sea level vs. 6.0 +/- 0.7 degrees C at altitude), while a strong reduction was observed for the NA group (7.7 +/- 4.3 degrees C vs. 3.7 +/- 3.1 degrees C). This indicates that the CIVD response at altitude tended to be stronger for the acclimatized subjects. In a second study, nine males were followed in a longitudinal study. CIVD was measured before, during and after 7 days of exposure to 4,350 m. Maximum finger skin temperature before and after exposure did not differ (8.5 +/- 2.6 degrees C vs. 7.8 +/- 1.6 degrees C), and was reduced at altitude. There was no difference in maximum finger skin temperature between the 7 days at altitude (e.g., 5.3 +/- 2.7 degrees C at day 2 and 4.7 +/- 1.1 degrees C at Day 7). It can be concluded that no acclimatization effects of CIVD occur during the first 7 days of altitude exposure, but that differences may occur after altitude exposure of several weeks.

Acclimatization↗

Intermittent hypoxic training: fact and fancy.

Intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) refers to the discontinuous use of normobaric or hypobaric hypoxia, in an attempt to reproduce some of the key features of altitude acclimatization, with the ultimate goal to improve sea-level athletic performance. In general, IHT can be divided into two different strategies: (1) providing hypoxia at rest with the primary goal being to stimulate altitude acclimatization or (2) providing hypoxia during exercise, with the primary goal being to enhance the training stimulus. Each approach has many different possible application strategies, with the essential variable among them being the "dose" of hypoxia necessary to achieve the desired effect. One approach, called living high-training low, has been shown to improve sea-level endurance performance. This strategy combines altitude acclimatization (2500 m) with low altitude training to ensure high-quality training. The opposite strategy, living low-training high, has also been proposed by some investigators. The primacy of the altitude acclimatization effect in IHT is demonstrated by the following facts: (1) living high-training low clearly improves performance in athletes of all abilities, (2) the mechanism of this improvement is primarily an increase in erythropoietin, leading to increased red cell mass, V(O2max), and running performance, and (3) rather than intensifying the training stimulus, training at altitude or under hypoxia leads to the opposite effect - reduced speeds, reduced power output, reduced oxygen flux - and therefore is not likely to provide any advantage for a well-trained athlete.

Acclimatization↗

The effects of salbutamol on blood pressure and heart rate in Large White and Pietrain-cross breeds of pig.

The effects of the beta 2-agonist salbutamol, on pig heart rate and blood pressure were evaluated at the expected commercially used concentration of 3 ppm in final feed, and at three times this level. Salbutamol was administered to pigs previously fed on control diet ('naive'), and in a second study to pigs fed 3 ppm salbutamol for 19 days ('acclimatized'). Heart rate and blood pressure were measured in conscious 30 kg pigs before (pre-ingestive), during (ingestive) and after ingestion (absorptive) of feed containing 3 or 9 ppm salbutamol. To assess any interaction with 'stress genotype' pigs, measurements were performed in Large White and Pietrain-cross breeds. The mean preingestive heart rates for the Large White and Pietrain-cross pigs were 127 and 109 beats/min, respectively. The corresponding figures for mean arterial blood pressure were 121 and 122 mmHg. The act of ingesting control feed caused heart rate to rise by 36-39% and blood pressure to increase by 17-27%. During the absorptive phase for 'naive' pigs fed 3 ppm salbutamol in the diet, blood pressure fell 5-11% and heart rate increased 20-24%, reflecting a classical baroreceptor mediated response. At 9 ppm the fall in blood pressure of 5-11% was similar to that at 3 ppm, while the rise in heart rate was larger at 31-38%. The magnitude of the changes at both 3 and 9 ppm was less than that evoked by the act of ingestion, with the exception of the heart rate response in Large Whites at 9 ppm, which was similar. The responses of the two breeds were comparable, indicating that salbutamol is unlikely to exacerbate the cardiovascular responses seen in potentially stress-susceptible pigs. The acute changes elicited by 3 ppm salbutamol during the absorptive phase in 'naive' pigs were abolished or substantially less in acclimatized pigs, implying a tachyphylaxis to the agonist's actions. This was confirmed by 9 ppm of salbutamol increasing heart rate of 'acclimatized' Large Whites to the same degree as 3 ppm in 'naive' counterparts. The desensitization in Pietrain-cross pigs was even more marked with no increase in heart rate produced by 9 ppm salbutamol following acclimatization. These data, combined with the rapid tachyphylaxis of response, indicate that salbutamol at the intended commercial inclusion of 3 ppm will not compromise the cardiovascular stability of the growing pig at rest.

Acclimatization↗

Lipid composition and temperature adaptation of the nervous system of the leech Hirudo medicinalis L.

The lipid composition of the nervous system of the leech Hirudo medicinalis was investigated following acclimatization of animals at 25 degrees C and 5 degrees C. Choline, ethanolamine, and serine plus inositol phosphoglycerides are the major phospholipid classes of the leech ganglionic chain; minor amounts of lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidic acid, and sphingomyelin are also present. Neither the phospholipid pattern nor the cholesterol to total phospholipid molar ratio was dependent on the acclimatization temperature, whereas the fatty acid patterns of choline and serine plus inositol phosphoglycerides were significantly affected. Both for choline and serine plus inositol phosphoglycerides, a significant increase of the unsaturation index and a decrease of saturated to unsaturated fatty acid ratio was observed in animals acclimatized at 5 degrees C in comparison with those acclimatized at 25 degrees C. These observations, which point to increased lipid fluidity of the nervous system of cold-adapted leeches, are strengthened by results obtained by the fluorescence polarization method using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene as a probe: a decrease of the fluorescence polarization value was observed throughout the temperature range selected (5-40 degrees C).

Acclimatization↗

The local training effect of secretory activity on the response of eccrine sweat glands.

1. The influence of repeatedly raising the body temperature by radiant heat to a level at which acclimatization to heat is normally acquired was investigated in two series of experiments, the first without the subjects sweating, the second with sweating.2. In a second investigation local sweat-gland activity was induced by drug injections on successive days without raising the body temperature.3. These experiments show that the increased sweating capacity characteristic of acclimatization to heat is a result of sweat-gland activity and does not appear to be induced by or to depend on an elevated body temperature.4. Secretory activity results in a loss of glycogen from sweat-gland cells on the first day of heat exposure but not after the glands have been ;trained' by acclimatization to heat.5. The state of acclimatization has no influence on the threshold concentration of acetylcholine required to elicit sweating when injected intradermally.

Acclimatization↗

Nonshivering thermogenesis and adaptation to fasting in king penguin chicks.

The ability to develop nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) and the effect of fasting on thermogenic response to cold were studied in winter-acclimatized king penguin chicks. Metabolic rate (MR) and integrated electrical muscle activity were measured at different ambient temperatures. In cold-acclimatized (5 degrees C) fed chicks, shivering threshold temperature (STT) was 9.4 degrees C lower than lower critical temperature (LCT), indicating that NST (0.7 W/kg) occurs at moderate cold, whereas in control chicks fed and reared at 25 degrees C for 3 wk, LCT and STT were similar. Chicks reared in the cold and fasting for 3 wk or 4-5 mo (natural winter fast) developed an NST of 0.8 and 2.4 W/kg, respectively, despite the fast. In fasting chicks, the intercept of the metabolic curve with the abscissa at zero MR was far below body temperature, contrasting with the classic model for heat loss. Their low LCT indicates the capacity of a large reduction in convective conductance characteristic of diving animals and allows energy sparing in moderate cold. Below LCT, conductance reincreases progressively, leading to a steeper than expected slope of the metabolic curve and allowing preservation of a threshold temperature in the shell. These results show for the first time in a wild young bird the development of NST after cold acclimatization. Further, at the temperature of cold acclimatization, an energy-sparing mechanism is shown in response to long-term fast adaptation.

Acclimatization↗

[Arterial oxygen saturation at high altitude. A study on unacclimatised mountaineers and mountain dwellers].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We decided to determine how arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) diminishes with altitude in unacclimatized mountaineers and in mountain dwellers. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Pulseoximetric measurements in unacclimatized mountaineers (214 measurements in several Spanish mountains and in the Alps up to 4,164 m) and in mountain dwellers (209 measurements in several Spanish and Bolivian villages up to 4,230 m). We performed pulseoximetric measurements for three consecutive days in eight mountaineers on the summit of Aneto (3,404 m) to ascertain whether SaO2 increases or not during early acclimatization. RESULTS: Equations describing the SaO2 reduction with altitude are as follows: a) for unacclimatized mountaineers, SaO2 = 98.8183 - 0.0001.h - 0.000001.h2, b) for mountain dwellers, SaO2 = 98.2171 + 0.0012.h - 0.0000008.h2. (SaO2 in %; h: altitude in m. Lower limit of 95% confidence intervals given in the text). SaO2 of mountain dwellers is higher than that of unacclimatized mountaineers studied at the same altitude (p < 0.05 for any altitude over 1,692 m). SaO2 of mountaineers increased during early acclimatization (p < 0.05) to reach in few days the SaO2 of mountain dwellers. Unacclimatized mountaineers who spent the previous night over 2,000 m had higher SaO2 in altitude than those who slept under 2,000 m (p < 0.05). Mountaineers who performed any high-mountain activity (i.e. over 2,500 m) in the previous 12 months had higher SaO2 on the summit of Aneto than those who have never been over 2,500 m before (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SaO2 increases during the acclimatization process. Our equations serve to calculate the SaO2 which can be considered normal for healthy people for every altitude below 4,200 m, both before and after the acclimatization process.

Acclimatization↗

Rapid cold-hardening increases the freezing tolerance of the Antarctic midge Belgica antarctica.

Rapid cold-hardening (RCH) is well known to increase the tolerance of chilling or cold shock in a diverse array of invertebrate systems at both organismal and cellular levels. Here, we report a novel role for RCH by showing that RCH also increases freezing tolerance in an Antarctic midge, Belgica antarctica (Diptera, Chironomidae). The RCH response of B. antarctica was investigated under two distinct physiological states: summer acclimatized and cold acclimated. Summer-acclimatized larvae were less cold tolerant, as indicated by low survival following exposure to -10 degrees C for 24 h; by contrast, nearly all cold-acclimated larvae survived -10 degrees C, and a significant number could survive -15 degrees C. Cold-acclimated larvae had higher supercooling points than summer larvae. To evaluate the RCH response in summer-acclimatized midges, larvae and adults, maintained at 4 degrees C, were transferred to -5 degrees C for 1 h prior to exposures to -10, -15 or -20 degrees C. RCH significantly increased survival of summer-acclimatized larvae frozen at -10 degrees C for 1 h compared with larvae receiving no cold-hardening treatment, but adults, which live for only a week or so in the austral summer, lacked the capacity for RCH. In cold-acclimated larvae, RCH significantly increased freeze tolerance to both -15 and -20 degrees C. Similarly, RCH significantly increased cellular survival of fat body, Malpighian tubules and gut tissue from cold-acclimated larvae frozen at -20 degrees C for 24 h. These results indicate that RCH not only protects against non-freezing injury but also increases freeze tolerance.

Acclimatization↗

Seasonal acquisition of chill tolerance and restructuring of membrane glycerophospholipids in an overwintering insect: triggering by low temperature, desiccation and diapause progression.

Adults of the insect Pyrrhocoris apterus acquire chill tolerance through the process of autumnal acclimatization. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to separate the triggering effects of low temperatures, desiccation and diapause progression on the physiological characteristics related to chill tolerance with emphasis on the restructuring of glycerophospholipid (GPL) composition. Changes in relative proportions of major molecular species of glycerophosphoethanolamines (GPEtns) and glycerophosphocholines (GPChols) in thoracic muscle and fat body tissues were followed using HPLC coupled to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. The increase in relative proportion of 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleyl-sn-GPEtn at the expense of 1,2-dilinoleyl-sn-GPChol was the most prominent feature of the complex change observed in both tissues during autumnal acclimatization in the field. The relative proportion of total GPEtns increased, while the proportion of total GPChols decreased. The relative proportion of unsaturated fatty acyls slightly decreased. A similar restructuring response was seen during acclimatization in the field and cold acclimation in the laboratory. By contrast, the GPL changes related to desiccation and diapause progression were relatively small, differed qualitatively from the cold-acclimation response, and were accompanied with no increase of chill tolerance. Other features of autumnal acclimatization, i.e. depression of supercooling capacity and accumulation of polyhydric alcohols, were also triggered solely by low temperatures.

Acclimatization↗

Studies on physiological responses of residents in Okinawa to a hot environment.

In an attempt to reconfirm Kuno's observation that changes in sweating reaction during long-term heat acclimatization differ from those during short-term heat acclimatization, Ohara's sweating test was performed in summer in Okinawa on 37 male subjects, including 19 residents born and raised in Okinawa (group O) and 18 residents born and raised on one of the main Japanese islands (group M). Seasonal variation of adaptability to heat was also studied in some subjects of both groups. Group O showed significantly less sweat loss, lower Na concentration in sweat and a longer latent period for onset of sweating than group M. Group O showed no seasonal variation in sweat loss, while group M showed considerably greater sweat loss in summer than in winter. In both groups, lower Na concentration in sweat, lower rise in rectal temperature and lesser increase in heart rate in summer than in winter were observed. Seasonal difference in physiological responses of group O to heat exposure was less than that of group M. In conclusion, it was assumed that acclimatization to heat of group O had advanced further than that of group M and this was the reason for longer latent period of sweating and lesser sweat loss in group O in spite of the same rise in rectal temperature in both groups. Discussions were carried out to explain how the sweating pattern and mechanism of acclimatization in group O were different from those in group M.

Acclimatization↗

Peripheral vascular response to local cold stress of tropical men during sojourn in the Arctic cold region.

Peripheral vascular response to local cold stress was studied on 4 groups of volunteers by eliciting cold-induced vasodilatation (CIVD) response during immersion of right hand in cold water (4 degrees C) for 30 min, to examine whether tropical men can get acclimatized to local cold compared to temperate zone people, during Arctic cold exposure. Group A and B (10 each) were drawn from tropical region of India, while Group C and D (6 each) from temperate zone of Russia and natives of Arctic, respectively. Initial study was conducted on control Group A at Delhi. Group B was airlifted to the Arctic (70 degrees N, 38 degrees E), where measurements were done on them during the seventh week of acclimatization, then they were flown back to Delhi and retested. For comparison, study was done at the Arctic on six migrants (Group C) from temperate zone of Russia and 6 natives (Group D) of the Arctic. There was a significant improvement of CIVD response and peripheral blood flow of tropical men due to acclimatization to Arctic environment, which was similar to that of the migrants but lower than the natives. Thus local cold acclimatization is possible even in tropical men as in those of the temperate zone people.

Acclimatization↗

Ecophysiological behavior of Caquetaia kraussii (Pisces: Cichlidae) exposed to different temperatures and salinities.

Tropical river sardine, Caquetaia kraussii, captured from La Aguá lagoon (Sucre State, Venezuela) were acclimatized for four weeks at 22, 24, 30 and 32 degrees C and at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 17@1000 salinity. To evaluate effects of thermal response to acclimatization level, the fish were transferred suddenly from lower temperatures (22 and 24 degrees C) to higher ones (32 and 30 degrees C) respectively. Then thermal resistance time was measured at the lethal temperature of 40.9 degrees C for 30 days. We considered that acclimatization process completed when resistance time was stabilized at the new temperature regime. For the saline effect, the concentrations of sodium and potassium were measured in the tissues at each treatment: gills, white muscle, gut and heart. The results showed that thermal tolerance increased rapidly in 3 h with a 6 degrees C rise in temperature (from 24 to 30 degrees C) and in 24 h with a 10 degrees C rise (22 to 32 degrees C). With decreasing temperatures, the acclimatization level reached its lowest in 11 days with a 6 degrees C decreases (from 30 to 24 degrees C) and in 14 days with a 10 degrees C decrease (32 to 22 degrees C). Caquetaia kraussii regulates as much sodium as potassium in gills and white muscle tissues at all salinity levels tested; however, gut and heart tissues showed significantly different regulations among salinities examined.

Acclimatization↗