INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON CYTOCHROME-P450 1A IN DAB (LIMANDA-LIMANDA) FROM THE SOUTHERN NORTH-SEA - RESULTS FROM FIELD SURVEYS AND A LABORATORY STUDY

Mature specimens of male dab were collected from several stations in t he southern North Sea, and the cytochrome P450 1A dependent 7-ethoxy-r esorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity was measured with a microplate r eader directly onboard the research vessel. During both surveys the hi ghest levels of EROD activity were found at relatively clean off-shore stations with low bottom water temperatures due to stratification. Co nsiderably lower EROD values were found along the more contaminated Du tch coast at stations with relatively high bottom water temperatures. The inverse relationship between water temperature and EROD activity w as confirmed in a laboratory study, where dabs were acclimated to 8, 1 2 and 16 degrees C during a period of four weeks.