Pm. Thomas et al., The effect of stress and exercise on post-mortem biochemistry of Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout, J FISH BIOL, 54(6), 1999, pp. 1177-1196
Freshwater Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykis
s responded similarly to increase in water flow (exercise), reduction in ho
lding tank water level (stress), or 30 min chasing with water level reducti
on (stress and exercise). Stress generally resulted in elevated plasma cort
isol, above the control. Fish responded to stress and exercise combined, wi
th elevated lactate and [H+] which was sometimes associated with elevated p
lasma cortisol. These changes were combined with a depletion of the muscle
adenylate pool. Post-mortem, this resulted in an increase in the rate of on
set of rigor, and a higher and sometimes sustained muscle proton load. Both
species produced predominantly inosine as opposed to hypoxanthine, for up
to 72 h of ice storage. This study shows that the physiological disruption
in Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout caused by simulated harvest conditions
of stress and exercise, results in mostly transient changes in post-mortem
muscle biochemistry. These changes lead to an earlier onset and resolution
of rigor, and lower post-mortem muscle pH in comparison to the control. (C
) 1999 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.