Primary and secondary indices of stress in the progeny of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) selected for high and low responsiveness to stress

A series of pooled gamete matings was carried out employing eggs and milt from mature male and female rainbow trout selected for a consistently high- or low-responsiveness to stress, as indicated by post-stress plasma cortisol elevation. Development of the progeny was closely monitored and the responsiveness to stress of the progeny of high-responding parents and the progeny of low-responding parents was assessed by two methods. For a period of 14 months, at approximately monthly intervals, the plasma cortisol elevation evoked by a standardized confinement stress was determined in fish from each group, and secondly, on one occasion, the time-course of the plasma cortisol response to a 24-h period of confinement was monitored. Progeny of high-responding parents snowed a significantly greater cortisol response to stress than the progeny of low-responding parents during both testing procedures. However, when the effect of a 14-day confinement stress was examined, high-responding progeny showed a more rapid recovery of plasma cortisol levels, while levels in the low-responding progeny, although initially lower, showed a more sustained elevation. To assess the possible functional implications of these observations, circulating lymphocyte numbers, an immunologically important cortisol-sensitive component of the blood cell complement, were determined. The duration of the lymphocytopenia observed following the onset of confinement was found to be related to the initial, not the sustained, cortisol response. These data suggest that manipulation of the sensitivity to stress of fish is feasible by selective breeding, but that careful.choice of the indices employed to identify traits considered desirable is necessary.     

Cold shocks: a stressor for common carp

The stress response of common carp Cyprinus carpio was studied by evaluating plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate after single or multiple rapid temperature drops (ΔT: 7, 9 or 11° C). All three amplitudes used induced a significant rise in plasma cortisol levels. Peaks occurred within 20 min after onset of the cold shock. No stress-related secondary metabolic changes were observed in any of the experiments described: plasma glucose levels remained unaffected and plasma lactate levels dropped. Carp of 60 days old showed a significant stress response, although plasma cortisol levels were lower than those observed in carp of 120 days. Furthermore, fish that had experienced multiple cold shocks showed an overall lower cortisol response than fish experiencing a single cold shock, indicating that habituation to this stressor occurred.     

The effects of capture, handling, confinement and ectoparasite load on plasma levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate in the coral reef fish Hemigymnus melapterus

Tropical labrids Hemigymnus melapterus sampled underwater had low plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, and lactate. Plasma cortisol levels were elevated by capture stress within 5–6 min, while glucose and lactate levels were not. Plasmalevels of cortisol and glucose increased after 2–4 h of handling and transport to the laboratory. Levels of cortisol and glucose fell with laboratory acclimation back to values similar to those found in wild fish. Parasitism by gnathiid isopods across an order of magnitude of isopod numbers had no effect on plasma levels of cortisol or glucose. Thus, H. melapterus has a stress response similar to that shown by temperate species, and relatively high parasite loads are not apparently stressful to fish in the wild. This may be related to the counterproductive effects of physiological stress responses on the immune system or behaviour-modulated processes that counter parasitic invasion.     

Differences in plasma cortisol and cortisone dynamics during stress in two strains of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Plasma levels of cortisone, a steroid hormone of potential physiological significance in fish, have rarely been measured. This study examines the interrelationship between circulating levels of cortisone and the major teleost corticosteroid, cortisol, in the blood of two strains of rainbow trout subject to confinement stress, a condition know to stimulate corticosteroidogenic activity. In unstressed fish from both strains, mean plasma cortisol levels were within the range 0.4–7.5 ng ml⁻¹. Mean plasma cortisone levels were within the range 7.1–15.9 ng ml⁻¹. Plasma cortisol levels were elevated within 5 min of the onset of strees and reached peak values within 45 min, although there was a marked difference betweed the maxima observed in the two strains (strain 1:70 ng ml⁻¹; strain 2:150 ng ml⁻¹). The rate of increase of plasma cortisone levels during strees was more rapid than that of cortisol, maximum values (strain 1:100ng ml⁻¹; strain 2:160 ng ml⁻¹) being reached within 10 to 20 min of the onset of stress. This rapid stress-induced elevation of plasme cortisone has not previously been reported in fish. We suggest that rapid conversion of cortisol to cortisone during the initial response to stress accounts for the appearance of large amounts of cortisone in the blood, indicating that circulating for the appearance of large amounts of cortisone in the blood, indicating that circulating levels of cortisol alone do not fully reflect the secretory activity of the interregnal during the initial of cortisol alone do not fully the secretory activity of the interregnal during the initial phase of the stress response. The results also indicate that the rate of clearance of cortisone from the circulation may be a major factor in determining stress-stimulated levels of plasma cortisol.     

External damage and changes in blood parameters in female tench, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tinca tinca</Emphasis> (L.) retained in anglers’ keepnets

The effect of keeping female tench in two different types of keepnets for 24 h after landing was tested. The first type, fine knotted nylon mesh, was placed in two different positions in the edge: (a) anglers position, anchored on one side and (b) stretch position, anchored on both ends of the keepnets. The second type was made of dense fine and soft textile net in black color and anchored on both ends in a stretch position. After capture by rod the fish were landed by hand, the hook was removed and the damage to the body and fins checked before confining the fish inside the keepnets. After confinement, blood samples were collected and the number, disposition and extent of wounds checked. The retention in the keepnets did not produce significant changes in plasma cortisol, glucose and osmolality. Fine knotted nets caused more injuries than the soft textile one. As a consequence, the use of this latter type is recommended for tench retention.     

Low vitamin E in diet reduces stress resistance of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles

This study investigates the effect of dietary vitamin E on juveniles of gilthead seabream under stressful situations, focusing on the effects on growth, haematology, some immune parameters and plasma cortisol as indicators of stress. Two sardine meal-based experimental diets, one of them supplemented with 150 mg of alpha tocopherol kg(-1) of diet (control) and another one without vitamin E supplementation (diet NE), were assayed under two different stress conditions: overcrowding as a chronic stressor (during 15 weeks) and repetitive chasing as an acute repetitive stressor. Low levels of vitamin E in the diet depleted alternative complement pathway activity [from 167.23 U ml(-1) (control fish) down to 100.99 U ml(-1)] and also nonspecific haemagglutination. Also, fish fed a non-supplemented diet showed an elevation of plasma cortisol basal levels without a stressor influence [from 3.91 ng cortisol ml(-1) plasma (control fish) up to 21.70 ng cortisol ml(-1) plasma]. Low levels of vitamin E in the diet also produced an increase of erythrocyte fragility. Under chronic stress, fish fed the vitamin E-deficient diet showed a reduction in growth and survival, and alterations in haematological parameters, such as an additional haemoconcentration in response to overcrowding when compared with control fish. Under repetitive stress, fish fed the vitamin E deficient diet showed faster elevation of plasma cortisol levels in response to stress and a lower survival rate than control fish. Production of oxygen radicals by blood neutrophils was reduced under repetitive stress in fish fed the non-supplemented diet. These results suggest that fish fed the vitamin E-deficient diet had lower stress resistance.     

Plasma cortisol and metabolite level profiles in two isogenic strains of common carp during confinement

A rapid increase in common carp Cyprinus carpio plasma cortisol levels was noted, in two experiments, after 30 mins of a 3 h net confinement, which was sustained while the fish were held in the nets. After release from the nets, cortisol levels returned to control values in 1 h. Plasma glucose and free fatty acid levels were elevated by the confinement. Glucose was increased after 30 min but returned to basal levels after 22 h of recovery while free fatty acids were not elevated until 3 h of confinement and remained high for the duration of the recovery period. After confinement for 3 h, plasma lactate levels were reduced and remained low for a further 1 h. No change in either plasma triglyceride or cholesterol levels were found during the study. Confinement had no effect on haematocrit levels but blood haemoglobin levels were reduced. In both experiments hypochloraemia occurred in response to confinement. However, values returned to pre-confinement levels 22 h after confinement. These results show that rearing isogenic carp strains, under identical conditions, results in a reproducable response to an acute stressor and that these carp respond in a similar manner to other teleost species.     

Plasma cortisol stress response in fingerling rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, to various transport conditions, anaesthesia, and cold shock

Plasma cortisol levels of fingerling rainbow trout were measured as an index of the stress resulting from various procedures used for transport of the fish for stocking. When transported under 'normal' conditions, which included water at the hatchery acclimation temperature (10–11°C), O₂ saturation or supersaturation, and neutral pH, there was a marked increase in plasma cortisol levels within 0.5 h, which was maintained over the next 4 h of transport; there was a significant decrease in plasma cortisol by 8 h of transport. It was found that the plasma cortisol levels at 4 and 8 h were not appreciably altered by transport under partial O₂ desaturation, O₂ saturation, O₂ supersaturation, or 0.5% NaCl, or by anaesthesia with tricaine methanesulfonate (MS 222) prior to capture and transport in MS 222-free water or 0.5% NaCl. A 15 min exposure to an immobilizing dose of buffered or unbuffered MS 222, or 2-phenoxyethanol, caused an increase in plasma cortisol of about 2 h duration, indicating that anaesthetics are themselves stressful. Exposure to chilled water (1° C) caused a large increase in plasma cortisol levels by 4 h after initiation of exposure; plasma cortisol had decreased at 1 day, and by 2 days a constant level was reached which was above the level in fingerling trout under 'normal' hatchery conditions. Trout acclimated to chilled water for 24 h and transported in chilled water had an increase in plasma cortisol during transport. Anaesthesia prior to transport or addition of salt did not reduce the stress of transport as judged by plasma cortisol levels. The results indicate that stress from capture and transport during stocking cannot be avoided using present methods.     

Scales Tell a Story on the Stress History of Fish

Fish faced with stressful stimuli launch an endocrine stress response through activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI-) axis to release cortisol into the blood. Scientifically validated biomarkers to capture systemic cortisol exposure over longer periods of time are of utmost importance to assess chronic stress in governmental, wildlife, aquaculture and scientific settings. Here we demonstrate that cortisol in scales of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) is the long-sought biomarker for chronic stress. Undisturbed (CTR) and daily stressed (STRESS) carp were compared. Dexamethasone (DEX) or cortisol (CORT) fed fish served as negative and positive controls, respectively. Scale cortisol was quantified with a validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. An increase in scale cortisol content was found in STRESS and CORT but not in CTR and DEX fish. Scale cortisol content reflects its accumulation in a stressor and time dependent manner and validates the scale cortisol content as biomarker for chronic stress. Plasma analyses confirmed that (i) CTR, DEX and CORT treatments were effective, (ii) plasma cortisol of STRESS fish showed no signs of chronic HPI-axis activation, and (iii) plasma cortisol is a poor predictor for chronic stress. The expression of HPI key genes crf, pomc, and star were up-regulated in STRESS fish in the absence of a plasma cortisol response, as was the target gene of cortisol encoding subunit α1 of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in gills. When lost, scales of fish regenerate fast. Regenerated scales corroborate our findings, offering (i) unsurpassed time resolution for cortisol incorporation and as such for stressful events, and (ii) the possibility to investigate stress in a well defined and controlled environment and time frame creating novel opportunities for bone physiological research. We conclude that the cortisol content in ontogenetic and regenerated scales is an innovative biomarker for chronic stress offering ample applications in science and industry.     

The response to capture and confinement stress of plasma cortisol, plasma sex steroids and vitellogenic oocytes in the marine teleost, red gurnard

Reproductively active female red gurnard Chelidonichthys kumu were captured on long-lines, and placed in confinement tanks for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h to examine the effect of capture and confinement on reproductive parameters (experiment I). Plasma cortisol at the time of capture was elevated to levels typical of stressed fish in other species (53–125 ng ml⁻¹). Final plasma cortisol levels in red gurnard confined for any length of time were not significantly different from one another (ranging from 17 to 43 ng ml⁻¹), indicating that fish were chronically stressed when held in captivity for up to 96 h after capture. When initial and final plasma cortisol levels were compared within confinement groups, cortisol decreased significantly after 24 and 96 h of confinement indicating that some acclimation to captivity may have occurred. In contrast, plasma 17β-estradiol (E₂) and testosterone (T) levels decreased significantly to levels comparable to those in post-spawned fish, after any period of confinement, and remained low throughout the experiment. Another group of fish was captured and confined in the same manner as experiment I but subjected to repeated blood sampling every 24 h, until 96 h post-capture. In these fish, plasma cortisol levels decreased significantly from 127 ng ml⁻¹ after 24 h confinement and thereafter showed no change (25–45 ng ml⁻¹). Plasma E₂ decreased significantly after 72 h of confinement while plasma T showed no change from levels at capture. Increased amounts of follicular atresia were found in vitellogenic oocytes of fish confined for longer periods of time in experiment I, indicating that capture and confinement stress affect reproduction negatively in captive wild fish.     

Consequences of acute stress and cortisol manipulation on the physiology, behavior, and reproductive outcome of female Pacific salmon on spawning grounds

Life-history theory predicts that stress responses should be muted to maximize reproductive fitness. Yet, the relationship between stress and reproduction for semelparous salmon is unusual because successfully spawning individuals have elevated plasma cortisol levels. To tease apart the effects of high baseline cortisol levels and stress-induced elevation of cortisol titers, we determined how varying degrees of cortisol elevation (i.e., acute and chronic) affected behavior, reproductive physiology, and reproductive success of adult female pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) relative to different states of ovulation (i.e., ripe and unripe). Exhaustive exercise and air exposure were applied as acute stressors to manipulate plasma cortisol in salmon either confined to a behavioral arena or free-swimming in a spawning channel. Cortisol (eliciting a cortisol elevation to levels similar to those in post-spawn female salmon) and metyrapone (a corticosteroid synthesis inhibitor) implants were also used to chemically manipulate plasma cortisol. Cortisol implants elevated plasma cortisol, and impaired reproductive success; cortisol-treated fish released fewer eggs and died sooner than fish in other treatment groups. In contrast, acute stressors elevated plasma cortisol and the metyrapone implant suppressed plasma cortisol, but neither treatment significantly altered reproductive success, behavior, or physiology. Our results suggest that acute stressors do not influence behavior or reproductive outcome when experienced upon arrival at spawning grounds. Thus, certain critical aspects of salmonid reproduction can become refractory to various stressful conditions on spawning grounds. However, there is a limit to the ability of these fish to tolerate elevated cortisol levels as revealed by experimental elevation of cortisol.     

Plasma cortisol concentrations before and after social stress in rainbow trout and brown trout

Two related experiments examined the relationship between plasma cortisol concentrations and the development of social hierarchies in fish. In the first, rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and brown trout, Salmo trutta, were observed for dominance interactions when confined within single-species pairs for 4, 48, or 168 h. Subordinate members of a pair exhibited significantly higher cortisol concentrations than dominant and single fish, but the pattern of cortisol elevation differed between the two species, being quicker to rise and increasing to a higher level in rainbow trout. Cortisol concentrations were correlated with behavioural measurements; the more subordinate the behaviour exhibited by a fish, the higher its cortisol concentration. Social stress was a chronic stressor, and no acclimation to social status occurred during the week. In the second experiment, measurements of plasma cortisol were made before pairing of rainbow trout and then after 48 h of confinement in pairs. Subordinate fish demonstrated significantly higher concentrations of plasma cortisol both before and after social stress. It therefore appears that in addition to cortisol being elevated during periods of social stress, an association may exist between initial cortisol levels and the likelihood of a fish becoming subordinate.     

Physiological consequences of an altered flow regime on Alabama bass (Micropterus henshalli)

There are numerous studies on the effects of dams on aquatic biota, yet relatively little is known about whether hydropeaking activities cause physiological change in fish. Using Alabama bass (Micropterus henshalli) as a model, we evaluated whether hydropeaking in a regulated river altered glucocorticoid stress responsiveness relative to fish from an unregulated tributary. Blood samples were collected at the time of capture (baseline) and then collected again after a 1‐hr period of confinement (response). Leukocyte profiles (blood smears) were created and plasma was extracted to assess plasma cortisol levels and neutrophils and lymphocyte (N:L) ratios, between sites and times to evaluate differences between sites and the two sampling periods. Baseline cortisol levels were higher in fish collected from the regulated river compared to those from unregulated site, but response levels of cortisol were similar between sites. Baseline and response level N:L ratios did not differ between sites. High baseline levels of cortisol suggested that fish exposed to regulated flows expressed an altered stress response and were likely in an allostatic state, i.e., attempting to acclimate. Further research is needed to understand how altered stress responses due to hydropeaking flows may be affecting fish.     

The effects of chronic plasma cortisol elevation on the feeding behaviour, growth, competitive ability, and swimming performance of juvenile rainbow trout

Plasma cortisol elevation, a common consequence of stress, occurs in salmonids of subordinate rank; these fish acquire a smaller share of available food and grow more slowly. This study examined the role of cortisol itself in these phenomena. Cortisol implants, with parallel sham and control treatments, were used to create a chronic threefold elevation in plasma cortisol levels in juvenile rainbow trout, and the individual feeding patterns of the fish were evaluated using X-ray radiography. The three treatment groups were (1) held alone and fed to satiation, thereby providing a measure of voluntary appetite, or mixed together in equal proportions and fed to either (2) satiation or (3) half-satiation, thereby allowing assessment of the additional effects of competitive interaction and food limitation. Chronic plasma cortisol elevation had significant negative effects on individual appetite, growth rate, condition factor, and food conversion efficiency, independent of whether the fish were held under unmixed or mixed conditions. Under the latter, mean share of meal was reduced and fin damage increased in cortisol-treated fish; negative growth effects were more severe with food limitation, but the response patterns were otherwise unchanged. Even in the absence of other groups, cortisol-treated fish showed more variable feeding patterns. When compared at the same individual ration levels, cortisol-treated fish had lower growth rates, reflecting a higher "cost of living." Cortisol treatment had no effect on aerobic swimming performance. These results suggest that the structure of the feeding hierarchy may not be determined solely by competitive ability but may also be greatly influenced by differences in the feeding behaviour of unstressed fish versus stressed fish caused by cortisol elevation in the latter.     

Changes in free and total plasma cortisol levels in juvenile haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) exposed to long-term handling stress

We measured changes in free and total plasma cortisol levels, plasma glucose, gill hsp70 levels, and growth in haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) subjected to a long-term handling stress (15 s out of water, each day, for 4 weeks), and the effect of this long-term stress on the ability of haddock to respond to an acute stressor. The acute stressor was a single handling stress, and fish were sampled at 1, 6, and 12 h post-stress. During the long-term stress study, free and total plasma cortisol levels increased significantly (10-fold) in the stressed group after the second week. However, the percentage of free cortisol was already significantly elevated by the first week (control 17%, stressed 55%), and remained high during the second week (control 35% and stressed 65%). After 3 and 4 weeks of handling, both free and total cortisol declined in stressed fish to levels that were not significantly different from pre-stress values. Control fish grew significantly more than stressed fish (by 32% and 18%, respectively) over the 4 week study, and condition factor only increased in control fish. Although fish from the control group showed elevated total plasma cortisol levels (to 47 ng mL(-1)) 1 h after the acute stress, and the levels in stressed fish were comparable to those for the control fish, no significant increase in plasma cortisol was measured in the group subjected to the long-term stress. Free plasma cortisol levels did not increase significantly in either group following the acute stress. However, free plasma cortisol levels were significantly higher in long-term stress group, as compared with the control group, at 6 h post-stress. Plasma glucose and gill hsp70 levels were not altered by either the long-term stress or acute stressor. Our data indicate that cortisol (free and total), but not glucose or hsp70, appears to be adequate to assess short- and long-term stress in haddock.     

Endocrine and metabolic responses to stress in a laboratory population of the tropical damselfish Acanthochromis polyacanthus

The effects of confinement and exercise on the stress response of the spiny damselfish Acanthochromis polyacanthus were investigated in a laboratory stock of fish. Cultured spiny damselfish had basal plasma cortisol values (<16 ng ml⁻¹) similar to those found in wild fish, and basal plasma glucose and lactate levels that were similar to those found in other teleosts. Plasma cortisol concentrations increased in response to stress with a latency period of 5–10 min. Removal of the stressor resulted in partial recovery of cortisol levels by 24 h. Plasma glucose levels increased in response to stress in all experiments with significant increases occurring within 15 min of the imposition of stress. Elevations in plasma glucose concentrations were not initially reflected in changes in liver or muscle glycogen content, with significant reductions in liver glycogen concentrations only occurring in response to extended periods of stress. In contrast to many temperate species, plasma lactate concentrations did not consistently increase in response to stress, suggesting that the stress response in spiny damselfish is not strongly characterized by anaerobiosis.     

Caution for using ventilatory frequency as an indicator of stress in fish

This study tested the use of ventilatory frequency (VF) as an indicator of stress in the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.). Firstly, we tested the relationship between VF and plasma cortisol after confinement. Confined fish showed higher VF and plasma cortisol levels, but the latter continued to increase significantly for longer time than VF. Secondly, we conducted another experiment to test the use of VF as indicator of fish stress. In four out of six treatment, we confined the fish for different intervals (30 s, 5, 15 or 30 min). The others were used as control. In one, no handling was imposed. The other control consisted of introducing the partition (the same used to perform the confinement) into the aquarium for less than 4 s, without confinement and immediately removing the partition (partition control). Ventilatory frequency was increased for the partition control as much as for the longer duration of confinement. This clearly indicates that VF is a very sensitivity response to disturbance, but of limited use because this parameter does not reflect the severity of the stimulus. Thus, although VF is a non-invasive technique that does not require sophisticated recording equipment, its usefulness is limited.     

Cohort sampling, anaesthesia and stocking-density effects on plasma cortisol, thyroid hormone, metabolite and ion levels in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

The effect of serial removal of fish from aquaria, anaesthesia and stocking density on plasma cortisol, thyroid hormone, metabolite and ion levels was examined in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri , to determine the consequences of normal handling and maintenance procedures on the activity of the pituitary-adrenal and pituitary-thyroid axes in the species.
The capture and handling associated with serial removal of fish from an aquarium resulted in a rapid elevation of plasma cortisol concentrations and a slower rise in plasma glucose, Mg²⁺ and Na⁺ concentrations; plasma K.+ levels showed a transient fall shortly after commencing the sampling, followed by a significant increase.
A lethal concentration of 3-aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester (MS 222) of 125 mgl⁻¹ (but not a sublethal concentration of 62.5 ng 1⁻¹) prevented the capture stressor-associated changes in most of the measured parameters, including plasma cortisol levels, although plasma protein and ion concentrations were elevated in fish sampled after MS 222-anaesthesia.
Stocking densities from 1 to 64 fish 80 1⁻¹ aquarium did not appear to effect changes in the measured parameters, except for plasma T3/T4 ratios which decreased with increasing stocking density. The exception was found in fish which were stocked in pairs: one member of each pair had a markedly elevated plasma cortisol level and there was a high incidence of mortality, probably related to aggressive social interaction.     

Effects of capture stress on free-ranging, reproductively active male Weddell seals

Physiological stress responses to capture may be an indicator of welfare challenges induced by animal handling. Simultaneously, blood chemistry changes induced by stress responses may confound experimental design by interacting with the biological parameters being measured. Cortisol elevation is a common indicator of stress responses in mammals and reproductive condition can profoundly influence endocrine response. We measured changes in blood cortisol and testosterone induced by handling reproductively active male Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) early and late in the breeding season. Weddell seals have the highest resting cortisol levels of all mammals yet showed a clear, prolonged elevation in cortisol in response to capture. Responses were similar when first caught and when caught a second time, later in the breeding season. Baseline testosterone levels declined over the breeding season but were not altered by capture. Administering a light dose of diazepam significantly ameliorated the cortisol response of handled animals without affecting testosterone levels. This may be an effective way of reducing acute capture stress responses. Male breeding success in years males were handled was no different to the years they were not, despite the acute capture response, suggesting no long-term impact of handling on male reproductive output.     

PCB disruption of the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal axis involves brain glucocorticoid receptor downregulation in anadromous Arctic charr

We examined whether brain glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulation by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was involved in the abnormal cortisol response to stress seen in anadromous Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). Fish treated with Aroclor 1254 (0, 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg body mass) were maintained for 5 mo without feeding in the winter to mimic their seasonal fasting cycle, whereas a fed group with 0 and 100 mg/kg Aroclor was maintained for comparison. Fasting elevated plasma cortisol levels and brain GR content but depressed heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) and interrenal cortisol production capacity. Exposure of fasted fish to Aroclor 1254 resulted in a dose-dependent increase in brain total PCB content. This accumulation in fish with high PCB dose was threefold higher in fasted fish compared with fed fish. PCBs depressed plasma cortisol levels but did not affect in vitro interrenal cortisol production capacity in fasted charr. At high PCB dose, the brain GR content was significantly lower in the fasted fish and this corresponded with a lower brain hsp70 and hsp90 content. The elevation of plasma cortisol levels and upregulation of brain GR content may be an important adaptation to extended fasting in anadromous Arctic charr, and this response was disrupted by PCBs. Taken together, the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal axis is a target for PCB impact during winter emaciation in anadromous Arctic charr.