Oxygen Dissociation Curves of the Blood of Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar ) Acclimated to Summer and Winter Temperatures

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Authors: Black, Edgar C., Tucker, Harold H., Kirkpatrick, Donald
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1966
• Subjects: General Medicine; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f66-109; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f66-109

Oxygen dissociation curves were constructed at three tensions of carbon dioxide, viz: 0–1 mm Hg, 10 mm Hg, and 40 mm Hg; and at five temperatures: 0, 5, 15, 20, and 25 C. Carbon dioxide dissociation curves were constructed at 5 C only. Gas tensions in mixed venous blood were determined for four salmon at 5 C. Oxygen dissociation curves at three temperatures were carried out for fish acclimated to summer and winter conditions.The physiological function of the blood of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is well adapted for the range of temperatures encountered. As is the case for other salmonids, the adverse effect of low temperature is opposed by an increased sensitivity of the blood to carbon dioxide. No influence of acclimation was observed for the effect of carbon dioxide on the equilibrium between oxygen and hemoglobin.