Influence of Salinity, Temperature, and Exercise on Plasma Osmolality and Ionic Concentration in Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar )

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Authors: Byrne, J. M., Beamish, F. W. H., Saunders, R. L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1972
• Subjects: General Medicine; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f72-181; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f72-181

In unexercised Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), plasma osmolality and Na + and Ca ++ concentrations varied little at temperature-salinity combinations of 3, 5, 10, and 14 C and 0, 15, and 30‰. Plasma K + tended to increase with increase in temperature. Cl − values were similar at 5 and 14 C. At 1 C and 0‰, lower plasma osmolalities indicated reduced ability to osmoregulate. At 1 C and 30‰, elevated osmolalities and ionic values and mortalities indicated severe osmotic stress.After exercise for 2 hr at 3–4 body lengths/sec at 5 and 14 C, salmon in salinities of 0 and 15‰ had osmolalities and ionic values the same as or little changed from unexercised values. There were marked increases in the values following exercise in 30‰.