Enhanced protein synthetic capacity in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is associated with temperature-induced compensatory growth

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were held either at seasonal ambient temperatures (-0.3 to 11 degrees C) or at a relatively constant control temperature (8-11 degrees C) to investigate aspects of protein synthesis during a period of compensatory growth. Protein synthesis rate, total RNA, and RNA-specific protein synthesis rate were determined in white muscle and liver when ambient temperatures were -0.3, 4.5, and 11 degrees C in February, June, and July, respectively. To allow for comparisons between treatment temperatures, fish were also acutely transferred to a comparable assay temperature in February and June. Over the transition from 4.5 to 11 degrees C (June to July), the ambient-held cod had a significant increase in size and a substantially higher growth rate relative to control-held fish over the same period, consistent with cold-induced compensatory growth. During the onset of this enhanced growth, in June when ambient temperature was approximately 4.5 degrees C, ambient-held fish elevated their capacity for protein synthesis in the white muscle and liver via elevation of the RNA content. When ambient temperature reached the same point as for the control fish (11 degrees C), the rate of white muscle protein synthesis remained higher in the ambient-held vs. that in the control-held fish, a process facilitated by elevated RNA content and greater RNA-specific rate of protein synthesis. In the liver, all measured characteristics of protein synthesis were the same for ambient and control fish in July. The latter suggests that compensatory growth may be in part explained by improved efficiency of protein synthesis.     

Effect of temperature on protein synthesis in fish of the Galapagos and Perlas Islands.

1. The temperature dependency of protein synthesis was studied in vivo in five species of Pacific fish collected in the Galapagos and Perlas Islands: batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini), groupers (Epinephelus labriformis), catfish (Netuma platypogan), puffers (Arothron hispidus) and triggerfish (Sufflamen verres). 2. Liver protein synthesis, assayed by a rapid pulse injection technique, showed a moderate temperature dependency (Q10 = 2-3) in the 15-30 degree C range for all species except puffers (Q10 = 10-20). Synthesis was inhibited above 32 degrees C. 3. Protein synthesis in triggerfish was measured by the constant-infusion technique. Synthetic rates (% of tissue protein synthesized per day) at 25 degrees C were 20% for liver, 10% for gill, 1.8% for red muscle and 0.6% for white muscle. Q10 in the 20 degrees-30 degrees C range was 3.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C for all tissues.     

Estimation of growth potential by measurement of tissue protein synthetic rates in feeding and fasting rainbow trout, Salmo gairdnerii Richardson

Protein synthesis in liver, gill and muscle tissue was measured in vivo by constant infusion of ¹⁴C-tyrosine in fed and fasted freshwater rainbow trout, Salmo gairdnerii , at 12° C. Synthesis rates (percentage of tissue protein synthesized per day) were 15-17% in liver, 4–5% in gill and 0.38% in muscle of fed fish. Liver and gill synthesis rate showed no significant change in fish that had been without food for 15 days, whereas muscle protein synthesis fell to 0.09%. The greater susceptability of muscle protein synthesis to fasting, possibly results from the greater proportion of synthesis retained as growth in this tissue. Growth rates indicate little change in protein turnover in the muscle but increased protein degradation with fasting. The difference between fed and fasted synthesis rates in muscle may be used as a measurement of potential growth rate for a particular species.     

Tissue-specific changes in protein synthesis associated with seasonal metabolic depression and recovery in the north temperate labrid, Tautogolabrus adspersus

The tissue-specific changes in protein synthesis were tracked in relation to the seasonal metabolic depression in cunner (Tautogolabrus adsperus). In vivo protein synthesis rate and total RNA content were determined in liver, white muscle, brain, heart, and gill during periods of normal activity before metabolic depression, entrance into and during winter dormancy, and during the recovery period. The decrease in water temperature from 8 degrees C to 4 degrees C was accompanied by a 55% depression of protein synthesis in liver, brain, and heart and a 66% depression in gill. Protein synthesis in white muscle fell below detectable levels at this temperature. The depression of protein synthesis is an active process (Q(10) = 6-21 between 8 degrees C and 4 degrees C) that occurs in advance of the behavioral and physiological depression at the whole animal level. Protein synthesis was maintained at these depressed levels in white muscle, brain, heart, and gill until water temperature returned to 4 degrees C in the spring. Liver underwent a hyperactivation in the synthesis of proteins at 0 degrees C, which may be linked to antifreeze production. During the recovery period, a hyperactivation of protein synthesis occurred in white muscle, which is suggestive of compensatory growth, as well as in heart and liver, which is considered to be linked to increased activity and feeding. Seasonal changes in total RNA content demonstrate the depression of protein synthesis with decreasing temperature to be closely associated with translational capacity, but the stimulation of protein synthesis during recovery appears to be associated with increased translational efficiency.     

Turnover of cytochrome C in skeletal muscle of green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus, R.) during thermal acclimation.

The concentration of cytochrome c in the skeletal muscle of the green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) increases with decreasing temperature of acclimation: 1.51 +/- 0.09, 1.17 +/- 0.03, and 0.98 +/- 0.07 nanomoles per gram wet weight from muscle of animals acclimated to 5 degrees, 15 degrees, and 25 degrees C, respectively. The roles of synthesis and degradation of cytochrome c during thermal acclimation were investigated by measurement of loss of specific radioactivity from cytochrome c and from total mitochondrial heme protein, and by analysis of the rate of change in concentration of cytochrome c. The radioisotope used was 14C-delta-aminolevulinic acid, a non-reutilizable heme precursor. At 25 degrees C, the half-life of cytochrome c was 7.1 days based on radioactivity measurements and 5.6 days based on change in concentration. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in half-lives obtained by the two methods. The half-life of total mitochondrial heme protein was determined to be 5.7 days on the basis of radioactivity data, under the same conditions. No significant difference was found between the rate of turnover of the heme protein pool from mitochondria and either measurement for cytochrome c at 25 degrees C. At an acclimation temperature of 5 degrees C, the half-life of cytochrome c from skeletal muscle was 13.7 days based upon changes in concentration. At low acclimation temperature, radioactive label was retained in acid-soluble form by fish for many days, precluding measurement of half-life by this technique. Transfer of fish from 25 degrees to 5 degrees C resulted in a rapid decrease of approximately 40% in rates in synthesis of skeletal muscle cytochrome c, and a concomitant decrease in the degradation rate constant for this molecule of approximately 60%. The disproportionality in temperature-sensitivities of these two processes leads to an approximately 50% net increase in the concentration of cytochrome c during acclimation. In transfer from 5 degrees to 25 degrees C, the converse, rapid readjustments in synthetic and degradative parameters occur, resulting in the observed decrease in cytochrome c content.     

The effects of elevated summer temperature and sublethal pollutants (ammonia, low pH) on protein turnover in the gill and liver of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on a limited food ration.

Protein synthesis, degradation and growth of the liver and gills were determined in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed a limited ration and exposed for 90 days to normal or elevated summer temperatures (+2 degrees above ambient) and either low pH (5.2) in softwater or 70 microM total ammonia in hardwater. The limited ration resulted in low rates of growth (< 0.80% per day) and protein synthesis in all fish. In softwater, whole-body growth was significantly inhibited by elevated temperature but stimulated by low pH, although tissue protein metabolism was generally unaffected by these treatments. There was no significant difference in final size between the groups of fish in hardwater, but liver protein synthesis and degradation were significantly lower at +2 degrees C, the reduction in synthesis being due to an inhibition of both the capacity for protein synthesis, Cs and the RNA translational efficiency, kRNA. Gill protein metabolism was unaffected by the experimental treatments in trout in hardwater. The authors conclude that a global warming scenario would be detrimental to protein synthesis and growth in freshwater fish under conditions of food limitation in summer, and when late summer temperatures approached the upper thermal limit of the species, regardless of food availability.     

Protein synthesis in the whole body,liver, skeletal muscle and kidney cortex of lambs infected by the nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis

Jones W. O. and Symons L. E. A. 1982. Protein synthesis in the whole body, liver, skeletal muscle and kidney cortex of lambs infected by the nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis. International Journal for Parasitology12: 295–301. Tyrosine flux and the synthesis of protein in the whole body, liver, skeletal muscle and kidney cortex and of albumin in lambs infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis and uninfected lambs fed ad libitum or pair-fed with the infected group, were measured by constant infusion of ¹⁴C-l-tyrosine. Live weight gain was lower in the infected than in pairfed lambs, but rates of whole body protein synthesis were similar in both groups. On the other hand, compared with control lambs, there was a faster rate of protein synthesis per unit of protein consumed in infected but not in pair-fed lambs. Rates of protein synthesis per unit of body weight in infected were higher than in pair-fed lambs, but similar to the rate in control lambs. The fractional synthetic rates (FSR) of albumin and liver proteins and the amount of liver protein synthesized per day were increased by infection. The FSR and amount of protein synthesized per day were depressed in skeletal muscle and kidney cortex. Anorexia did not explain any of these changes. Infection caused a loss of protein from each of these tissues, but this loss was due to anorexia in only the liver. There was generally good correlation between concentration of RNA per g fresh weight or per mg nitrogen and the FSR of protein. However, although the $\text{RNA}\text{DNA}$ ratio correlated well with synthesis in skeletal muscle, it was poorly correlated for liver proteins. The relationship between the rate of growth and protein synthesis in infected lambs is discussed.     

Digestive enzymes and metabolic profile of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Teleostei: Siluriformes) in response to diet composition

Digestive enzyme responsiveness to feeding and associated adjustments of metabolism can be used to derive nutritionally effective diet formulations. Juvenile pintado (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) were fed different diets. After feeding, fish were killed and blood, liver and white muscle were collected to evaluate metabolites. Stomach along with anterior, middle and posterior intestine were sampled for enzyme analysis. Non-specific protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase and lipase were assayed. Crude protein (CP) did not induce proteolytic activity; highest protease activities were observed in the stomach. Amylase was higher in the stomach in fish feeding on diets containing 13-25% starch. Lipase activity was observed along the gastrointestinal tract, with the highest activities observed in the middle section. The metabolic profile of white muscle was not affected by CP. In contrast, some plasma and liver metabolites were altered concomitant with changes in the digestive enzymes. Amino acid catabolism was increased. Digestion in pintado was responsive to cornstarch, reflected in intermediary metabolism; proteolytic activities of the digestive tract seem to be sufficient to deal with large amounts of dietary protein. As a result, we are able to recommend a balance between protein and energetic compounds, such as lipids and carbohydrates, in the diet to optimize fish growth.     

配合饲料和鲢鱼肉对大鲵生长的比较试验

为探讨人工配合饲料和鲢鱼肉对大鲵生长、消化和抗氧化能力的影响,试验选取初始体重为(20.99±0.15) g的大鲵幼体48尾,随机分成2组,每组3个重复,每个重复8尾,分别投喂人工配合饲料(粗蛋白55.67%,粗脂肪6.83%)和鲢鱼肉(粗蛋白18.03%,粗脂肪4.11%)共92d。结果显示:(1)饲料组大鲵的增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)、蛋白质沉积率(PRR)和肌肉蛋白质合成能力均显著高于鱼肉组,饲料系数(FCR)和存活率(SR)在两个试验组之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。(2)在大鲵摄食人工配合饲料后,全鲵粗蛋白、皮肤胶原蛋白及粗灰分含量均显著高于鱼肉组(P<0.05),而全鲵水分、粗脂肪与肌肉的粗脂肪和粗灰分含量显著低于鱼肉组(P<0.05)。(3)饲喂鲢鱼肉的大鲵胃蛋白酶活性显著高于饲料组(P<0.05),而两个试验组的胃H⁺-K⁺-ATP酶和肠道消化酶活性均无显著差异(P>0.05)。(4)饲喂人工配合饲料的大鲵肝脏总抗氧化能力(TAOC)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著高于鱼肉组(P&l...     

Protein metabolism in the mouse during pregnancy and lactation.

Protein synthesis was measured in vivo in the whole body and in a number of individual tissues in mice at various stages of pregnancy and lactation. The absolute rate of protein synthesis in the whole body increased from 640 mg/day in virgin mice to 1590 mg/day by day 18 of pregnancy, and to 2100 mg/day by day 15 of lactation. Large proportions of these increments were contributed by the rapidly growing foetuses and placentae in the pregnant animals and by protein synthesis in the mammary glands during lactation. In addition, a substantial stimulation of growth and protein synthesis was also observed in the liver and the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrocnemius muscle showed no changes in protein metabolism, indicating that in the well-fed mouse this tissue is not required to play a role as a protein reserve during pregnancy and lactation.     

Rapid metabolic adaptation in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles fed different carbohydrate sources after heat shock stress

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two dietary carbohydrate sources (waxy maize starch and glucose) on the metabolic adaptation of sea bass juveniles (initial weight: 24 g) to a heat shock treatment (temperature rise from 18 degrees C to 25 degrees C within 24 h). Two isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain 20% waxy maize starch (WS diet) or 20% glucose (GLU diet). Triplicate groups of fish were fed to near satiation for 4 weeks at both temperatures (18 degrees C and 25 degrees C). Then, fish previously maintained at 18 degrees C were submitted to a heat shock (18 degrees C to 25 degrees C) and continued to be fed with the same diets during 1 more week. The higher water temperature significantly improved growth performance, feed efficiency, as well as protein efficiency ratio, independently of diet. At 25 degrees C, but not at 18 degrees C, growth of fish fed the WS diet was higher than that of fish fed the GLU diet. Plasma glucose levels were higher in sea bass fed the GLU diet and not influenced by water temperature. Fish fed a glucose diet or reared at high temperatures (25 degrees C) showed enhanced liver glycolytic, lipogenic and gluconeogenic capacities compared to fish fed a starch diet or reared at low temperatures (18 degrees C). For the majority of the enzymes studied, 1 week seemed to be enough time for metabolic adaptation in sea bass submitted to an acute heat shock. Irrespective of carbohydrate source, HSP70 gene expression was similar in both cold water (18 degrees C) and warm water (25 degrees C) acclimated sea bass. A weak down regulation was observed after heat shock only in fish fed the GLU diet. This suggests that HSP70 gene expression is not affected by the rearing temperature per se.     

Development of the digestive tract in first feeding larvae of Betta splendens Regan, 1910

The aim of this study was to analyse the development of the digestive tract of Siamese fighting fish larvae (Betta splendens Regan, 1910), from hatching to 92 hours post‐hatching (hph) at 28.0°C, in order to determine the most appropriate time to begin exogenous feeding (live feed) and to investigate the digestive tract and its function during larval development. At hatching (29 hours post‐fertilization), the digestive tract was a simple and straight undifferentiated tube lined by a single layer of columnar epithelial cells; the mouth and anus were closed. At 18 hph, the mouth was open. At 32 hph, the tongue was located in the depression of the buccopharyngeal cavity floor and supported by basal cartilage. Goblet cells were present in the epithelium lining the pharynx and oesophagus. At 56 hph, the midgut had four distinct layers: the mucosa with typical villi, the submucosa, the smooth muscle layer, and the serosa. Histological analysis revealed that the larvae retained endogenous yolk reserves until 74 hph. Lipid accumulation was observed in the liver, which coincided with complete yolk absorption. At this time, the digestive tract was fully open and functional. Thus, it can be concluded that live feed should be given to B. splendens larvae from 74 hph onward, when the larvae are able to consume the food provided. This study also provides useful data for the improvement of husbandry techniques and for the formulation of diets specific to ornamental fish larvae.     

Rearing temperature enhances hepatic glucokinase but not glucose-6-phosphatase activities in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles fed with the same level of glucose

The aim of this work was to elucidate if the previous results observed in hepatic glucokinase (GK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activities in European sea bass and gilthead sea bream are due to temperature per se or to differences in feed intake at different water temperatures. For that purpose triplicate groups of fish (30 g initial body weight) were kept at 18 degrees C or 25 degrees C during two weeks and fed a fixed daily ration of a glucose-free or 20% glucose diet. At the end of the experimental period, plasma glucose levels in both species were not influenced by water temperature but were higher in fish fed the glucose diet. Higher hepatic GK activity was observed in the two fish species fed the glucose diet than the glucose-free diet. In the glucose fed groups, GK activity was higher at 25 degrees C than at 18 degrees C. Glucose-6-phosphatase activities in both species were not influenced by water temperature. In European sea bass and in contrast to gilthead sea bream it was observed an effect of dietary composition on G6Pase activities with surprising higher activities recorded in fish fed the glucose diet than in fish fed the glucose-free diet. Overall, our data strongly suggest that European sea bass and gilthead sea bream are apparently capable to strongly regulate glucose uptake by the liver but not glucose synthesis, which is even enhanced by dietary glucose in European sea bass. Within limits, increasing water temperature enhances liver GK but not G6Pase activities, suggesting that both species are more able to use dietary carbohydrates at higher rearing temperatures.     

Fish protein hydrolysis by a psychrotrophic marine bacterium isolated from the gut of hake (Merluccius hubbsi)

The aims of this study were to identify a psychrotrophic bacterium, strain CR41, producing a cold adapted protease during growth at low temperatures and to evaluate the ability of the cells to hydrolyze hake fish protein. The strain was isolated from the intestinal tract of hake collected from the San Jorge Gulf (Patagonia, Argentina) and it was identified as Pseudoalteromonas. Growth and fish protein hydrolysis were determined using an aerated simple mineral medium plus 10% fish protein concentrate. Proteolytic activity was measured at 7 and 22 degrees C during culture in the concentrate. Protease production started in the exponential growth phase and reached a maximum during stationary phase. Protease activity at 7 degrees C was lower than at 22 degrees C. After 8 h of incubation, the percentage of hydrolyzed protein was 84% at 7 degrees C and 95% at 22 degrees C. Electrophoresis detection showed that degradation of muscle hake proteins was complete at both temperatures, and in gelatin zymograms extracellular activity showed two proteolytic bands with apparent molecular masses of approximately 31.6 and 62 kDa.     

中华刺鳅消化系统形态与组织学研究

应用活体解剖和光镜技术对中华刺鳅消化系统形态与组织学特征进行了研究。结果显示:中华刺鳅属典型的无鳔管、有胃鱼类,消化道较短,约为体长的45%,整体呈“Z”字形。食道很短,后与胃相联,胃呈“V”型,胃分为贲门部、胃底部和幽门部,贲门胃自食道末端到胃的底部都具有丰富的腺组织分布,其长度也是胃部最长的,约占中华刺鳅消化管长度的23%。胃底部的肌肉发达较厚,但仅贲门部有丰富的腺组织。消化道各段在组织结构上差异显著。胃前,消化道肌肉层内环肌与外纵肌厚度之比自前向后逐渐增大,杯状细胞数量自前向后逐渐减少;胃后,肠道肌肉层内环肌与外纵肌厚度之比则逐渐减小,杯状细胞数量逐渐增多。消化腺分为肝脏和胰腺,肝脏与胰脏为独立的两个器官,胰脏分散分布于胃与肠道周围的系膜内,肉眼可见。未发现类似鲤科鱼类弥撒于肝脏或脾脏内的胰腺结构。中华刺鳅以日本沼虾和秀丽白虾为主要摄食对象,性凶猛,为典型的肉食性鱼类。     

Biliary excretion of [14C]taurocholate by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) is stimulated at warmer acclimation temperature

Sexually immature Shasta strain rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) of either sex were acclimated at 10, 14 or 18 degrees C for at least 4 weeks and plasma pharmacokinetics and biliary excretion of i.p. injected [14C]taurocholate (TC) examined in spinally transected or free-swimming fish, respectively. Plasma elimination half-lives but not absorption rate constants for [14C]TC (10 mumol/kg) were about two-fold reduced in 18 as compared to 10 or 14 degrees C acclimated fish. Distribution of [14C]TC to tissues other than plasma, liver, bile and small intestine was not different in 10, 14 or 18 degrees C acclimated free-swimming fish at 1 or 4 hr post-injection. Biliary excretion of [14C]TC (7.5-10 mumol/kg) at 1 hr post-injection was significantly higher in 14 and 18 as compared to 10 degrees C acclimated fish.     

美洲鳗鲡幼鱼饲料中鱼油的适宜添加水平研究

为研究饲料中鱼油添加水平对美洲鳗鲡(Anguilla rostrata)幼鱼生长性能、消化酶、体成分及肝脏脂肪代谢的影响, 以确定美洲鳗鲡幼鱼饲料中鱼油的适宜添加水平, 选用初始体重(8.34±0.12) g的美洲鳗鲡幼鱼800尾, 随机分成5组, 每组4个重复, 每个重复40尾; 分别投喂添加0(对照组)、3%(FO3组)、6%(FO6组)、9%(FO9组)和12%(FO12组)鱼油的试验饲料, 试验期56d。结果表明, 饲料中添加鱼油显著影响美洲鳗鲡幼鱼生长性能, FO6组美洲鳗鲡幼鱼的增重率、投饵率和饲料效率显著高于其他处理组(P<0.05)。与对照组相比, 鱼油添加组美洲鳗鲡幼鱼肠道脂肪酶活性显著提高(P<0.05), 蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性显著降低(P<0.05); FO6组、FO9组和FO12组全鱼粗脂肪含量显著提高(P<0.05), 全鱼粗蛋白质含量在FO12组显著降低(P<0.05), 全鱼水分和灰分含量无显著变化(P>0.05); FO9组和FO12组脂肪酸合成酶活性显著降低(P<0.05), FO12组脂蛋白酯酶和肝脂酶活性显著升高(P<0.05)。综上, 饲料中添加适宜鱼油水平可以提高美洲鳗鲡幼鱼的生长性能, 调节肠道脂肪酶活性、全鱼粗脂肪含量和肝脏脂肪代谢酶水平或活性; 美洲鳗鲡幼鱼获得最佳增重率和饲料效率时, 饲料中鱼油添加水平推荐为6.43%—6.78%。     

The molecular and biochemical basis of nonshivering thermogenesis in an African endemic mammal, Elephantulus myurus

Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) mediated nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) is an important avenue of thermoregulatory heat production in many mammalian species. Until recently, UCP1 was thought to occur exclusively in eutherians. In the light of the recent finding that UCP1 is already present in fish, it is of interest to investigate when UCP1 gained a thermogenic function in the vertebrate lineage. We elucidated the basis of NST in the rock elephant shrew, Elephantulus myurus (Afrotheria: Macroscelidea). We sequenced Ucp1 and detected Ucp1 mRNA and protein restricted to brown fat deposits. We found that cytochrome c oxidase activity was highest in these deposits when compared with liver and skeletal muscle. Consistent with a thermogenic function of UCP1 isolated BAT mitochondria showed increased state 4 respiration in the cold, as well as palmitate-induced, GDP-sensitive proton conductance, which was absent in liver mitochondria. On the whole animal level, evidence of thermogenic function was further corroborated by an increased metabolic response to norepinephrine (NE) injection. Cold acclimation (18 degrees C) led to an increased basal metabolic rate relative to warm acclimation (28 degrees C) in E. myurus, but there was no evidence of additional recruitment of NE-induced NST capacity in response to cold acclimation. In summary, we showed that BAT and functional UCP1 are already present in a member of the Afrotheria, but the seasonal regulation and adaptive value of NST in Afrotherians remain to be elucidated.     

Quantitative study on creatine metabolism in sheep tissues

Creatine metabolism was quantitated in sheep tissues by measurement of the amount of creatine and creatinine flowing into and out of various tissues using multi-catheterized sheep. The results showed that sheep derived no creatine from the digestive tract. The total renal clearance of creatine plus creatinine was about 18 mmoles per day. Daily creatine synthesis in the sheep was some 15 mmoles, of which 80% occurred in the liver. There was a daily uptake of about 5.4 mmoles of creatine and an output of 7.8 mmoles of creatinine by the hindlimbs of the sheep. This difference suggests that the skeletal muscle may be able to synthesize a significant amount of creatine. However, creatine metabolism in the heart, lung and brain was much less active.     

Thermal plasticity of skeletal muscle mitochondrial activity and whole animal respiration in a common intertidal triplefin fish,Forsterygion lapillum (Family: Tripterygiidae)

Oxygen demand generally increases in ectotherms as temperature rises in order to sustain oxidative phosphorylation by mitochondria. The thermal plasticity of ectotherm metabolism, such as that of fishes, dictates a species survival and is of importance to understand within an era of warming climates. Within this study the whole animal O₂ consumption rate of a common New Zealand intertidal triplefin fish, Forsterygion lapillum, was investigated at different acclimation temperatures (15, 18, 21, 24 or 25 °C) as a commonly used indicator of metabolic performance. In addition, the mitochondria within permeabilised skeletal muscle fibres of fish acclimated to a moderate temperature (18 °C Cool acclimation group—CA) and a warm temperature (24 °C. Warm acclimation group—WA) were also tested at 18, 24 and 25 °C in different states of coupling and with different substrates. These two levels of analysis were carried out to test whether any peak in whole animal metabolism reflected the respiratory performance of mitochondria from skeletal muscle representing the bulk of metabolic tissue. While standard metabolic rate (SMR- an indicator of total maintenance metabolism) and maximal metabolic rate ( \(\dot{M}\) O_{2 max}) both generally increased with temperature, aerobic metabolic scope (AMS) was maximal at 24 °C, giving the impression that whole animal (metabolic) performance was optimised at a surprisingly high temperature. Mitochondrial oxygen flux also increased with increasing assay temperature but WA fish showed a lowered response to temperature in high flux states, such as those of oxidative phosphorylation and in chemically uncoupled states of respiration. The thermal stability of mitochondria from WA fish was also noticeably greater than CA fish at 25 °C. However, the predicted contribution of respirational flux to ATP synthesis remained the same in both groups and WA fish showed higher anaerobic activity as a result of high muscle lactate loads in both rested and exhausted states. CA fish had a comparably lower level of resting lactate and took 30 % longer to fatigue than WA fish. Despite some apparent acclimation capacity of skeletal muscle mitochondria, the ATP synthesis capacity of this species is constrained at high temperatures, and that a greater fraction of metabolism in skeletal muscle appears to be supported anaerobically at higher temperatures. The AMS peak at 24 °C does not therefore represent utilisation efficiency of oxygen but, rather, the temperature where scope for oxygen flow is greatest.