Three-dimensional analysis of the heart function and effect cholinergic agonists in the cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa

Many relevant aspects of mammal’s cardiac physiology have been mainly investigated in insect models such as Drosophila melanogaster and Periplaneta americana. Cardiac function has been poorly studied in the cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa, which has some advantages for experimental purposes such as an easier culture, bigger organs and a robust physiology. On the other hand, the study of cardiac physiology in insects has been largely improved since the arrival of digital imaging technologies for recording purposes. In the present work, we introduce a methodology of video recording coupled to an isotonic transducer for a three-dimensional analysis of the heart and intracardiac valves of G. portentosa. We used this methodology for assessing the physiological responses of the cockroach heart upon the application of different cholinergic neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, nicotine and muscarine). We recorded in detail the relationship between intracardiac valves movement, hemolymph flow, diastole and systole. Acetylcholine and nicotine induced a biphasic effect on the cardiac frequency. Acetylcholine increased the diastolic opening. Nicotine at high concentration caused paralysis. Muscarine induced no major effects. These findings suggest a combined action of cholinergic agonists for a finely tuned the cardiac frequency, intracardiac valves function and cardiac cycle. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s00359-020-01443-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.