Sex differences in ionoregulatory responses to dietary oil exposure in polar cod

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Author: Christiansen, J. S.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2000
• Subjects: polar cod
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2000.tb02253.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1095-8649.2000.tb02253.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2000.tb02253.x

Serum osmolalities and chloride concentrations were examined in polar cod. When exposed to oil male and female fish responded differently. Ingestion of food contaminated with oil led to a significant decrease in osmolality (from 503 to 492 mOsm kg − 1) in males. There was no significant effect of oil ingestion on serum osmolality in females, but chloride concentrations were increased (from 196 to 203 mmol kg − 1). Gender related responses should, therefore, be considered when assessing the possible effects of environmental pollutants on fish physiology.