Influence of nucleoside triphosphates,inorganic salts,NADH, catecholamines,and oxygen saturation on nitrite-induced oxidation of rainbow trout haemoglobin

Oxidation of rainbow trout haemoglobin (Hb) by nitrite proceeded via an initial lag phase followed by autocatalysis when the O₂ saturation of the Hb was high. At low O₂ saturations, the rate of methaemoglobin (metHb) formation was strongly reduced and autocatalysis was absent. Addition of adenosine triphosphate and guanosine triphosphate to oxyHb lowered the haemoglobin O₂ affinity and O₂ saturation and slowed down nitrite-induced metHb formation in a dose-dependent manner, the effect of GTP being larger than that of ATP. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline did not affect O₂ saturation in oxyHb solutions but significantly slowed down nitrite-induced metHb formation. Inorganic salts (NaCl, KCl, NaNO₃) impeded the oxidation of oxyHb by nitrite in a manner that was dependent on salt concentration but independent of the type of salt. The mechanisms and physiological implication of the effects are discussed.     

Recovery from nitrite-induced methaemoglobinaemia and potassium balance disturbances in carp

The ability of carp to recover from nitrite-induced methaemoglobinaemia and disturbances in potassium balance and cell volume was studiedin vivo andin vitro. Nitrite accumulated to a plasma concentration of 3 mM during 2 days of nitrite exposure was eliminated from the plasma within 2–3 days in clean water. The nitrite-induced methaemoglobinaemia disappeared after 3 days of recovery. During nitrite exposure, K⁺ was lost from the red blood cells (RBCs) and from skeletal muscle tissue, which led to reduced cell volume and an extracellular hyperkalaemia. Extracellular [K⁺] rose less than predicted if lost K⁺ had remained in the extracellular space, suggesting further transport of K⁺ to the environment. The intracellular K⁺ and water content were restored after few days of recovery in clean water, but this was paralleled by development of an extracellular hypokalaemia. This shows that intracellular K⁺ balance was reestablished at the expense of the extracellular compartment, and supports that an overall K⁺ deficit resulted from K⁺ loss to the environment during nitrite exposure. Ventricle tissue differed from skeletal muscle and RBCs by not loosing K⁺ and by having increased sodium and water contents during nitrite exposure. These changes were corrected by recovery in nitrite-free water. In vitro addition of nitrite to blood with low O₂ saturation induced metHb formation and RBC K⁺ efflux. Subsequent reduction of metHb to functional Hb was similar in blood with low and high O₂ tension. A net re-uptake of K⁺ was observed only in RBCs with low O₂ saturation and when metHb reached low values.     

Practical use of response surface methodology for optimization of veterinary antibiotic removal using UV/H2O2 process

Three of the most commonly used veterinary antibiotics—enrofloxacin (ENR), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and oxytetracycline (OTC)—were chosen as representative antibiotics for UV/H₂O₂ treatments. The objective was to determine the optimization of UV/H₂O₂ to remove antibiotics from aquaculture discharge water using response surface methodology. The degradation of the antibiotics was investigated under varying UV/H₂O₂ conditions in environments with different levels of pH, water matrices, humic acid, and constituent ions. The degradation results demonstrated that increasing the H₂O₂ dosage facilitated ENR degradation at a neutral pH while facilitating degradation of SMX and OTC at a slightly acidic pH. The optimum removal conditions for ENR, which was used in all influential effect experiments and the contact tank experiments, was obtained at 10 mM H₂O₂, a pretreated COD of 87.51 mg L⁻¹, and an initial pH of 6.15. Among the tested anions, only the presence of Cl^- showed slight positive effects on ENR degradation, due to the generation of secondary active radicals. During the reaction, the hydroxyl radical (OH) was present at a higher pH while singlet oxygen (¹O₂) was slightly present at a lower pH. The experimental results from H₂O₂ sequential addition indicated that freshly added H₂O₂ could quench the recently generated OH and therefore a high H₂O₂ concentration with frequent adding was not necessary. Our contact system reduced the ENR concentration in both the effluent reservoir and in the UV irradiation zone. The overall results supported the use of the UV/H₂O₂ system to treat remnant antibiotics in the discharge water.     

Size‐related oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) reared in a recirculating system

Oxygen consumption (OC) and ammonia excretion rates (AE) of perch were measured under commercial‐like conditions (temperature 23.3 °C) in both fed (F) and feed‐deprived groups (D). Measurements were taken in triplicate in six sized batches of perch ranging from 44.8 to 336.2 g. The mean daily OC was 288.3–180.6 mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1 for group F fish ranging in size from 44.8 to 279.4 g body weight. The mean daily AE expressed as total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) was 13.8–5.2 mg TAN kg^?1 h^?1 in the same groups. Daily peaks of OC in group F perch were observed 6 h after the onset of feeding for each size group with relatively stable values up to the end of feeding. Peaks of daily AE in group F perch were observed 10 h after the onset of feeding in each size group, with a rapid decrease up to 16 h after onset. In group D, OC was 181.1–110.5 mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1 in the weight range 57.9–336.2 g. The daily mean AE was 1.7–0.5 TAN kg^?1 h^?1 in this group. No dramatic peaks of OC and AE were observed in group D perch.     

Interrelationships between red cell nucleoside triphosphate content,and blood pH,O2-tension and haemoglobin concentration in the carp,Cyprinus carpio

As a starting point for investigations of possible control factors for the nucleoside triphosphate content in carp red cells, we utilized the natural variability in blood physico-chemical parameters to test for interrelationships. By application of two-variable regression analysis, the red cell NTP content was found to be significantly correlated with arterial P_{O 2} and pH as well as with the blood haemoglobin (Hb) concentration. These correlations show a rise in red cell NTP content with falling pH as well as with falling Hb concentration, whereas a decrease in P_{O 2} was associated with a decrease in the content of NTP, particularly at low P_{O 2} values. Evaluation based on multiple regression analysis suggested that only P_{O 2} and pH significantly affected the red cell NTP content, and that the influence of changes in Hb concentration could be accounted for by naturally occurring simultaneous changes in P_{O 2} and pH. The multifactorial control of red cell nucleoside triphosphates is discussed in relation to the role of still unknown factors.     

氧化应激对鲤抗氧化状态和免疫功能的影响

为探讨氧化应激对鲤抗氧化状态和免疫功能的影响,本实验以H_2O_2作为活性氧自由基(ROS),将鲤暴露于不同浓度的H_2O_2(0、0.25、0.50和1.00 mmol/L)中,诱导鲤产生氧化应激反应。连续暴露7 d后,采集鲤血液和肝组织,以检测相关生化指标以及基因表达量的变化。结果显示,与空白对照组(0 mmol/L)相比,随着H_2O_2浓度的升高,血清葡萄糖(GLU)、皮质醇(cortisol)和乳酸(LA)含量显著升高;而碱性磷酸酶(AKP)和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性仅在1.00 mmol/L H_2O_2处理组中显著高于其他实验组。氧化应激参数显示,与空白对照组(0 mmol/L)相比,0.50和1.00 mmol/L H2O2处理显著降低血清过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,而提高还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)水平;在肝脏组织中,1.00 mmol/L H_2O_2处理显著降低了GSH含量,促进了MDA生成。基因表达结果显示,与空白对照组相比,1.00 mmol/L H2O2处理组显著上调了肝脏组织中cyp1a表达,而下调了cyp1b表达;同时0.50和1.00 mmol/L H2O2处理显著上调了hsp70、hsp90、c3、c-lyz和hep的表达。研究表明,氧化应激暴露可诱导鲤产生明显应激反应和脂质过氧化,降低机体抗氧化能力并激发免疫应答反应。     

Effects of open- and closed-system temperature changes on blood O2-binding characteristics of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

We investigated the effects of open- and closed-system temperature changes on the O₂ affinity of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) blood using in vitro methods essentially identical to those previously employed on tropical tuna species. Bluefin tuna blood has a general O₂ affinity (P ₅₀ = 2.6–3.1 kPa or 19–23 mm Hg at 0.5% CO₂) similar to that of skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, and kawakawa blood (P ₅₀ = 2.8–3.1 kPa at 0.5% CO₂) but significantly above that of bigeye tuna blood (P ₅₀ = 1.6–2.0 kPa at 0.5% CO₂). We therefore hypothesize that bluefin tuna are less tolerant of hypoxia than bigeye tuna. Further, we found the P ₅₀ of bluefin tuna blood to be slightly reduced by a 10°C open-system temperature increase (e.g., from 4.83 kPa at 15°C to 3.95 kPa at 25°C) and to be completely unaffected by a 10°C closed-system temperature change. Bluefin tuna blood, therefore, had a significantly reduced Bohr effect when subjected to the inevitable changes in P CO ₂ and plasma pH that accompany closed-system temperature shifts (0.04–0.09 Δlog P₅₀ΔpH⁻¹) compared with the effects of changes in plasma pH accomplished by changing P CO ₂ alone (0.81–0.94 Δlog P₅₀ Δ pH⁻¹). This response is similar to that of skipjack tuna blood, but different from yellowfin or bigeye tuna blood. During closed-system temperature changes at oxygen levels above P ₅₀, however, bluefin tuna blood showed a reversed temperature effect (i.e., P O ₂ decreased in response to an increase in temperature). Unlike in other tuna species, temperature effects on O₂ affinity of bluefin tuna whole blood were similar to those previously reported for hemoglobin solutions, suggesting that red cell-mediated ligand changes are not involved.     

Perch (Perca fluviatilis) as an indicator species for structural degradation in regulated rivers and canals in the lowlands of Germany

Abstract— Simple morphological characteristics and fish assemblage data were collected in representative numbers from 12 inland waterways in the northeastern lowlands of Germany between 1992 and 1995. Fish abundance data were pooled and classified into three main groups: perch Perca fluviatilis (L.), roach Rutilus rutilus (L.) and other species. Spearman rank correlations between fish abundance and type of embankment revealed that perch showed a statistically significant numerical dominance in waterways consisting predominately of an artificial shoreline, suggesting that perch may be used as an indicator of the structural degradation of watercourses.     

Changes in arterial PO₂, physiological blood parameters and intracellular antioxidants in free-swimming Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) exposed to varying levels of hyperoxia

Free-swimming Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were exposed to water oxygen pressures (P _wO₂) ranging from 18.1 to 41.5 kPa and sampled for blood using an indwelling caudal artery cannula. Arterial blood oxygen pressure (P _aO₂) increased with increasing P _wO₂, from 12.0 kPa in normoxia (18.1 kPa) to 34.2 kPa in the highest hyperoxic level tested (41.5 kPa). Blood CO₂ pressure and plasma bicarbonate concentration increased with P _wO₂, indicating reduced ventilation with increased P _wO₂. Plasma glucose, sodium and potassium were not affected by water oxygen level. Blood oxidative stress biomarkers, reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione and the oxidative stress index (ratio between oxidized and total glutathione) differed intermittently between normoxia and hyperoxia. The oxidative stress index was higher in the blood of exposed compared to unexposed control cod. Together with elevated P _aO₂, these findings suggest increased production of reactive oxygen species and increased oxidative stress in Atlantic cod exposed to hyperoxia.     

Effectiveness of eugenol sedation to reduce the metabolic rates of cool and warm water fish at high loading densities

Effects of eugenol (AQUI‐S^®20E, 10% active eugenol) sedation on cool water, yellow perch Perca flavescens (Mitchill), and warm water, Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L. fish metabolic rates were assessed. Both species were exposed to 0, 10, 20 and 30 mg L^?1 eugenol using static respirometry. In 17°C water and loading densities of 60, 120 and 240 g L^?1, yellow perch controls (0 mg L^?1 eugenol) had metabolic rates of 329.6–400.0 mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1, while yellow perch exposed to 20 and 30 mg L^?1 eugenol had significantly reduced metabolic rates of 258.4–325.6 and 189.1–271.0 mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1 respectively. Nile tilapia exposed to 30 mg L^?1 eugenol had a significantly reduced metabolic rate (424.5 ± 42.3 mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1) relative to the 0 mg L^?1 eugenol control (546.6 ± 53.5 mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1) at a loading density of 120 g L^?1 in 22°C water. No significant differences in metabolic rates for Nile tilapia were found at 240 or 360 g L^?1 loading densities when exposed to eugenol. Results suggest that eugenol sedation may benefit yellow perch welfare at high densities (e.g. live transport) due to a reduction in metabolic rates, while further research is needed to assess the benefits of eugenol sedation on Nile tilapia at high loading densities.     

L‐carnitine exerts a cytoprotective effect against H2O2‐induced oxidative stress in the fathead minnow muscle cell line

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of L‐carnitine (LC) against H₂O₂‐induced oxidative stress in the fathead minnow muscle cell line (FHM). The FHM cells were stimulated with 1 mM H₂O₂ for 1 h after LC pre‐treatment, and the cell viability and the activity and mRNA relative expression of antioxidant enzyme were measured to assess the antioxidant properties of LC. The results showed that the toxic effect of H₂O₂ on the viability of FHM cells was both dose‐ and time‐dependent. Furthermore, the viability of the 0.01–1 LC mM groups was significantly higher than those of the 1 mM H₂O₂ group. L‐carnitine protected the cells from H₂O₂‐induced oxidative damage, which was demonstrated by a significant reduction in the malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species levels and increases in the intracellular total glutathione levels and the activities of total superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and gamma‐glutamyl‐cysteine synthetase (γ‐GCS) in FHM cells pre‐treated with LC for 6 h compared with the 1 mM H₂O₂ group. In addition, the mRNA relative expression levels of the γ‐GCS catalytic subunit and nuclear factor nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 were significantly higher than those of the 1 mM H₂O₂ group. It could be concluded that LC exerts a beneficial antioxidant effect against oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ in FHM cells and that the appropriate treatment is 0.1–1 mM for 6 h in this study.     

Lack of arterial PO<Subscript>2</Subscript> downregulation in Atlantic salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo salar</Emphasis> L.) during long-term normoxia and hyperoxia

Regulation of arterial partial pressure of O₂ (P_aO₂) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was investigated during resting conditions in normoxic and hyperoxic water. Dorsal aorta cannulated adult Atlantic salmon (1.2–1.6 kg, n = 8) were exposed to 2 week sequential periods of normoxia [16.7 ± 1.1 kPa (mean ± SD)] and hyperoxia (34.1 ± 4.9 kPa) in individual tanks containing seawater (33.7 ± 0.2 ppt) at stable temperature conditions (8.7 ± 0.7°C) and a light regime of L:D = 12:12. Tank design and sampling procedures were optimized to provide suitable shelter and current for the fish, and to allow repeated, undisturbed sampling of blood from free-swimming fish. Fish were sampled regularly through the experimental period. P_wO₂, P_aO₂, blood ion composition (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻), acid–base status (pH, PCO₂, HCO₃ ⁻), haematocrit and glucose were measured. The most frequently observed P_aO₂ values were in the range of 60–80% of P_wO₂, both during normoxia and hyperoxia, and P_aO₂ values were significantly lower during normoxia than during hyperoxia. Blood pH, PCO₂ and HCO₃ ⁻ were significantly elevated during hyperoxia, while, Na⁺, Cl⁻ and Hct were significantly lower. K⁺ and glucose showed no significant differences. This study demonstrates a lack P_aO₂ regulation in Atlantic salmon to low partial pressures, in contrast to previous reports for many aquatic gill breathing animals. Both during normoxia and hyperoxia, P_aO₂ reflects P_wO₂, and alterations in external PO₂ consequently result in proportional arterial PO₂ changes. Physiological adaptation to hyperoxia, as illustrated by changes in several blood parameters, does not include down-regulation of P_aO₂ in Atlantic salmon. The lack of P_aO₂ regulation may make Atlantic salmon vulnerable to the oxidative stress caused by increased free radical formation in hyperoxic conditions.     

Effects of prolonged epinephrine infusion on blood respiratory and acid-base states in the rainbow trout: Alpha and beta effects

Rainbow trout were infused continuously for 12h with epinephrine in the presence or absence of alpha-and/or beta-adrenergic blockade to characterize the specific adrenergic mechanisms involved in the control of blood acid-base status and oxygen transport capacity. Infusion of epinephrine, alone, produced a transient respiratory acidosis, as indicated by an increase in carbon dioxide tension and a decrease in whole blood pH, yet arterial oxygen tension was elevated. Red blood cell pH increased by approximately 0.2 pH units during epinephrine infusion and this increase as well as the increase in oxygen tension were prevented by pretreatment with propranolol (a beta-adrenergic antagonist). Epinephrine infusion during alpha-adrenergic blockade caused a prolonged elevation of blood carbon dioxide tension and abolished the increases in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations observed during epinephrine infusion alone. Infusion of the alpha-adrenergic agonists phenylephrine (an alpha₁ agonist) or clonidine (an alpha₂ agonist) caused respiratory acidosis (decreased pH, increased CO₂ tension) and a reduction in oxygen tension. Infusion of isoprenaline (a non-specific beta agonist) caused delayed increases in carbon dioxide and oxygen tensions. We speculate that the increased carbon dioxide tension observed during epinephrine infusion is a result of beta-adrenoceptor mediated inhibition of red blood cell bicarbonate dehydration and not branchial convective or diffusive adjustments. The effects of epinephrine on blood O₂ tension, content and carrying capacity are discussed with reference to the participation of alpha- and beta-adrenergic mechanisms at the gill, spleen and red blood cell.     

Effects of Temperature and Photoperiod on Reproduction of Female Yellow Perch Perca flavescens: Plasma Concentrations of Steroid Hormones, Spontaneous and Induced Ovulation, and Quality of Eggs

The involvement of photoperiod and temperature in the regulation of reproductive processes was investigated in female yellow perch. Initially, all fish kept indoors were exposed to the same water temperature (22°C) and photoperiod (15L:9D). By the end of August, following the first sampling, fish were submitted to different photothermal regimes. Group A₃ was maintained under photothermal conditions characteristic for southern Ohio. Group B₃ was submitted to a condensed light/temperature regime designed to accelerate photothermal changes. The mean gonadosomatic index in group A₃ gradually increased throughout the experiment. Gonadosomatic index in group A₃ was higher than that in group B₃ from February through April. The highest plasma concentrations of estradiol in group A₃ occurred in November and December and exceeded those in group B₃. Plasma concentrations of testosterone in group A₃ were highest in December and tended to be higher in October and April than in other months. There was no difference in plasma testosterone between groups A₃ and B₃ except in March when concentrations of this androgen were extremely high in group B₃. Ovulation occurred earlier in B regime fish in comparison to that of A regime fish. However, egg quality of fish from regime B was lower than that of fish from regime A. We conclude that the condensed photothermal cycle is not an entirely effective method of inducing out-of-season spawning in female yellow perch. These data suggest that although the compression of the photothermal cycle slightly accelerated spawning, it also caused disturbances in patterns and levels of plasma steroids, diminished ovarian and hepatic growth, and reduced the quality of eggs. Thus, temperature and/or photoperiod may have only a modifying effect on the onset of perch spawning, but these environmental cues seem to markedly influence earlier stages of gonadal growth and development.     

Effect of temperature on copper toxicity and hematological responses in the neotropical fish Prochilodus scrofa at low and high pH

Copper sulfate has been widely used to control algae and pathogens in fish culture ponds. However, its toxic effects on fish depend not only on its concentration in water but also on water quality. The susceptibility of the neotropical freshwater fish Prochilodus scrofa to copper was evaluated at two temperatures with low and high water pH. Juvenile fish were acclimated at 20 and 30 °C and exposed to copper (static bioassay system) in water with pH 4.5 and 8.0. The 96 h-LC₅₀ were determined at each temperature and pH, as were the hematological parameters. The 96 h-LC₅₀ for copper (98 and 88 μg Cu L^− 1 in water with pH 4.5 and 16 and 14 μg Cu L^− 1 in water with pH 8.0 for fish kept at 20 and 30 °C, respectively) was significantly dissimilar in pH 4.5 and 8.0, but no difference was found between 20 and 30 °C in the same water pH. At 20 °C, regardless of the water pH, the hematocrit (Hct) increased while the red blood cells (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration decreased compared to control pH 7.0. Copper exposure in water pH 4.5 and 8.0 causes an increase on the Hct, RBC and Hb concentrations in relation to the controls pH 4.5 and 8.0. At 30 °C, the changes on the blood parameters depended on the water pH and, after copper exposure at low and high pH, the blood changes indicated more complex responses. The changes in hematological parameters of the fish, regardless of the pH and water temperature, indicate ionoregulatory or respiratory disturbances that imply an increase in energy consumption to restore homeostasis instead of other physiological functions such as weight gain and growth.     

Air-breathing behavior and physiological responses to hypoxia and air exposure in the air-breathing loricariid fish, Pterygoplichthys anisitsi

Hypoxic water and episodic air exposure are potentially life-threatening conditions that fish in tropical regions can face during the dry season. This study investigated the air-breathing behavior, oxygen consumption, and respiratory responses of the air-breathing (AB) armored catfish Pterygoplichthys anisitsi. The hematological parameters and oxygen-binding characteristics of whole blood and stripped hemoglobin and the intermediate metabolism of selected tissue in normoxia, different hypoxic conditions, and after air exposure were also examined. In normoxia, this species exhibited high activity at night and AB behavior (2–5 AB h^?1). The exposure to acute severe hypoxia elicited the AB behavior (4 AB h^?1) during the day. Under progressive hypoxia without access to the water surface, the fish were oxyregulators with a critical O₂ tension, calculated as the inspired water O₂ pressure, as 47 ± 2 mmHg. At water O₂ tensions lower than 40 mmHg, the fish exhibited continuous apnea behavior. The blood exhibited high capacity for transporting O₂, having a cathodic hemoglobin component with a high Hb–O₂ affinity. Under severe hypoxia, the fish used anaerobic metabolism to maintain metabolic rate. Air exposure revealed physiological and biochemical traits similar to those observed under normoxic conditions.     

Comparative Oxygen Consumption and Metabolism of Striped Bass Morone saxatilis and its Hybrid M. chrysops♀ xM. saxatilis♂

It has been reported that metabolic rates of striped bass Morone saxatilis and hybrid striped bass M. chrysops♀ x M. saxatilis♂ are different. A series of experiments were conducted to further characterize oxygen consumption and metabolism of striped bass and its hybrid, the sunshine bass. Oxygen consumption was measured to determine standard and routine metabolic rates of striped bass and hybrid striped bass in a freshwater, flow‐through tank system. Additionally, blood chemistry stress indicators of the two bass groups were compared in both fresh and brackish water. Hematocrit (% PCV) and hemoglobin were measured in order to compare oxidative efficiencies of the bass. Plasma glucose, chlorides, and cortisol levels were measured to compare the relative stress status of the two bass types reared under experimental conditions. No significant differences were found in average daily oxygen consumption between striped bass and sunshine bass for either standard metabolism (P= 0.92), or routine metabolism (P = 0.86). Standard metabolic rates of oxygen consumption were 69 ± 4.1 and 68 ± 3.5 mg 0₂/kg³/⁴ bw/h for sunshine bass and striped bass respectively. Routine metabolic rates were 132 ± 30 and 125 ± 30 mg O₂/kg^3/4 bw/h for sunshine bass and striped bass respectively. While there were no significant differences in oxygen consumption between species, normal feeding activity generally resulted in increased oxygen consumption by the fish. Striped bass had significantly lower hematocrit values (P= 0.0001), but significantly higher hemoglobin concentrations than sunshine bass maintained in freshwater (P= 0.0001). Striped bass had significantly higher (P= 0.0001) levels of plasma glucose compared to sunshine bass (176 ± 8.6 vs. 103 ± 5.6 mg/dL respectively). Plasma chloride levels for striped bass (123 ± 1.9 mEq/L) were significantly higher (P= 0.041) than plasma chloride levels of sunshine bass (117 ± 1.7 mEq/L). Plasma cortisol levels were significantly higher (P= 0.0081) for striped bass (147 ± 8.4 ng/mL) compared to sunshine bass (119 ± 5.6 ng/ mL) when reared in freshwater. When maintained in brackish water, sunshine bass had significantly higher hematocrit values (P= 0.0001), and hemoglobin concentrations (P= 0.0012) when compared to striped bass. However, sunshine bass had significantly higher hemoglobin concentrations (P= 0.0012) when compared to striped bass. In addition, plasma glucose levels were significantly lower (P = 0.0079) for sunshine bass (79 ± 4.1 g/dL) when compared to striped bass (115 ± 11 g/dL). There were no significant differences between the bass in levels of chlorides or cortisol. No differences were detected in oxygen consumption. However, hybrid striped bass may have more efficient oxidative metabolism due to elevated hemoglobin concentrations. While striped bass hemoglobin values tended to be higher in brackish water than in freshwater, sunshine bass hematocrit or hemoglobin values generally were significantly higher than striped bass in both fresh and brackish water. Based on these results, hybrid striped bass may be capable of directing more energy towards growth than striped bass due to more efficient oxidative metabolism and lower losses of energy related to increased stress.     

Identifying across-system sources of variation in a generalist freshwater fish: correlates of total and size-specific abundance of yellow perch

Abstract –  Variation in fish abundance across systems presents a challenge to our understanding of fish populations because it limits our ability to predict and transfer basic ecological principles to applied problems. Yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ) is an ideal species for exploring environmental and biotic correlates across system because it is widely distributed and physiologically tolerant. In 16 small, adjacent systems that span a wide range of environmental and biotic conditions, yellow perch were sampled with a standard suite of gear. Water quality, morphometry, vegetation, invertebrates and fish communities were concurrently measured. Multimodel inference was used to prioritise regressors for the entire yellow perch sample and three size groups (35–80, 81–180, ≥181 mm TL). Across systems, pH and fish richness were identified as the key drivers of yellow perch abundance. At very low pH (<4.0), few fish species and few yellow perch individuals were found. At ponds with moderately low pH (4.0–4.8), numbers of yellow perch increased. Ponds with high pH (>4.8) had many other species and few yellow perch. Similar patterns for pH and fish community were observed for the two largest-size classes. Negative interactions were observed between the medium- and large-sized yellow perch and between the largest and smallest yellow perch, although interspecific interactions were weaker than expected. This examination of variability for an indicator species and its component-size classes provides ecological understanding that can help frame the larger-scale sampling programs needed for the conservation of freshwater fish.     

The influence of abiotic factors on gillnet catch rates of yellow perch in southern Lake Michigan, 1989–2006

Abstract The difference in yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), catch rates were evaluated for gillnets set on the bottom at 10‐ and 15‐m depths in southern Lake Michigan during June, July and August from 1989 to 2006. More yellow perch were captured in gillnets set at 10 m than at 15 m. Differences in water temperature were significant in explaining variation in catch rates, but differences in Secchi depth and wave height were not significant. These results suggest that yellow perch may associate with habitat based on water temperature during the summer and move in response to thermal changes. In addition, this portion of the lake lacks noticeable heterogeneous structural habitat features that normally influence yellow perch behaviour. Fisheries managers should consider sampling based on temperature in addition to depth or other habitat features when designing sampling protocols.     

A wide difference in susceptibility to nitrite between Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides Lac.)

Influence of nitrite on two fish species, Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides Lacépède), was assessed in two acute toxicity tests. In the first one, lethal concentrations (48hLC50) of nitrite were estimated at 11 mg l^?1 NO₂ ^? for perch and 882 mg l^?1 NO₂ ^? for bass. In the second test, fishes were exposed for 48 h to concentrations representing ¼ and ½ value of 48hLC50 for each species. This test showed that the higher nitrite concentration in the water the higher methaemoglobin content in the blood, and nitrite levels in the blood plasma were observed in both species. On the other hand, leucocyte count showed opposite trend. Activity of NADH-methaemoglobin reductase was markedly lower in largemouth bass compared to Eurasian perch and was stimulated by nitrite exposure in neither of the species.