04-13-2012, 01:52 AM
I took a small amount find some publicatations relating to lactic acid buildup in amphibians and it's implications. I'll post the articles and/or links as I find them with the quoted text.
"Amphibians use aerobic pathways for most activity
and switch to anaerobic glycolysis for heavy activity.
During anaerobic activity, the muscles fatigue rapidly
due to the buildup of lactate due to an increase in the
level of free hydrogen ions in the muscle. These
hydrogen ions in turn create acidified inorganic
phosphorus ions, such as H2PO4, which are known to be
a proximate cause of fatigue in amphibians. Many
amphibians may struggle a few minutes before
collapsing. An amphibian oxidizes lactate at a rate about
nine times slower than an equivalent-sized mammal so it
may take hours to recover from a fatiguing event. Critical
patients may need elevated levels of atmospheric
oxygen before and after handling.
The role of lactate in acid-base metabolism in
amphibians has been poorly investigated. The pH of
amphibian blood can vary widely in normal specimens.
Since we do not understand the actual way that
endogenous lactates are completely eliminated in
amphibians or even have a full understanding of the
physiology of metabolic acidosis or alkalosis, it seems
prudent to avoid adding sodium lactate (found in lactated
Ringer’s solution) or using other lactated buffer solutions
as fluid therapy for amphibians. Amphibian Ringer’s
solution, described previously, is one of the most
effective fluids for managing amphibians. If that is not
available, 0.5 to 0.6% saline solution (ie, 5 to 6 g table
salt per liter of water) is approximately isotonic for
amphibians. "
http://www.cabi.org/isc/FullTextPDF/200 ... 121846.pdf
"Amphibians use aerobic pathways for most activity
and switch to anaerobic glycolysis for heavy activity.
During anaerobic activity, the muscles fatigue rapidly
due to the buildup of lactate due to an increase in the
level of free hydrogen ions in the muscle. These
hydrogen ions in turn create acidified inorganic
phosphorus ions, such as H2PO4, which are known to be
a proximate cause of fatigue in amphibians. Many
amphibians may struggle a few minutes before
collapsing. An amphibian oxidizes lactate at a rate about
nine times slower than an equivalent-sized mammal so it
may take hours to recover from a fatiguing event. Critical
patients may need elevated levels of atmospheric
oxygen before and after handling.
The role of lactate in acid-base metabolism in
amphibians has been poorly investigated. The pH of
amphibian blood can vary widely in normal specimens.
Since we do not understand the actual way that
endogenous lactates are completely eliminated in
amphibians or even have a full understanding of the
physiology of metabolic acidosis or alkalosis, it seems
prudent to avoid adding sodium lactate (found in lactated
Ringer’s solution) or using other lactated buffer solutions
as fluid therapy for amphibians. Amphibian Ringer’s
solution, described previously, is one of the most
effective fluids for managing amphibians. If that is not
available, 0.5 to 0.6% saline solution (ie, 5 to 6 g table
salt per liter of water) is approximately isotonic for
amphibians. "
http://www.cabi.org/isc/FullTextPDF/200 ... 121846.pdf