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Journal of Experimental Biology 60,901-908 (1974)
Published by Company of Biologists 1974

GAS EXCHANGES AND BLOOD GAS CONCENTRATIONS IN THE FORG RANA RIDIBUNDA

M. G. EMíLIO ¹

¹ Physiology Laboratory, Gulbenkian Institue of Science, Oeiras, Portugal

1. The respiratory exchanges through the lungs and skin of frogs and the time courses of blood gas concentrations were studied during emergence and diving periods.

2. Most of the total oxygen uptake is carried out through the lungs. The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood falls to very low levels a few minutes after diving, showing that the cutaneous respiratory surface cannot compensate for the lack of lung respiration.

3. Most of the metabolic carbon dioxide is disposed of through the skin. Although the skin output is maintained through diving periods, there is an important rise in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in blood following submergence. However, the total concentration of CO₂ in the blood decreases, as does the blood pH value.

4. This phenomenon is probably the result of a metabolic acidosis due to the switching on of anaerobic processes during diving periods.