The hypoxic ventilatory response and oxygen sensing in fishes

One of the most widespread, rapid, and important physiological responses of fishes to environmental hypoxia is the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), an increase in ventilation of the respiratory organs during low O2 conditions. In this article, we discuss the physiology of the HVR, including its benefits and limitations, as well as underlying molecular and cell biology of O2 sensing in fishes. We also discuss how the HVR and O2 sensing can be modulated by developmental and adult plasticity.