Fig. 2.

The impact of Phenanthrene (Phe) on the contractile properties of the brown trout heart. Force of contraction was significantly reduced when ventricular strips were exposed to 15 μM Phe and stimulated at varying frequency (0.2–1.0 Hz). (A) Representative trace from a ventricular strip contracting at 0.2 Hz showing peak height which was then converted to force. Mean ± S.E.M force expressed as percentage, normalised to control force contracting at 0.2 Hz in (B) DMSO control exposed group and (C) 15 μM exposed group. The solid black line represents the basal force of contraction prior to exposure of the strips to either DMSO or 15 μM Phe (blue line) whereas the dotted black line shows adrenaline (1 μM) exposure increasing contractility, attenuating the effects of Phe. (n = 8–12) *p < 0.05, two-way ANOVA). (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)