MP9 Metals and Bioaccumulation
Monday, 14 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(COU-1117-642790) Physiological Changes Associated with Tissue Metal Variations in Wild Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) Under Laboratory Conditions: A Comparative Study.

Bakhtiari, M.¹, Pyle, G.², Couture, P.³, ¹ Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada² Nipissing University, North Bay, ON, Canada³ Institut national de la recherche scientifique, centre Eau, Terre et Environnement, Québec, QC, Canada

ABSTRACT- This study examined intraspecific differences between metal-exposed fish and fish inhabiting a reference lake from a physiological perspective. Similar-sized yellow perch (Perca flavescens) from three different populations, one from a clean lake and two from metal-contaminated lakes, were maintained in the laboratory under the same conditions in order to minimize variability associated with habitat. Fish were sampled at regular intervals and several morphometric and physiological condition indicators along with fluctuations of metal (Cd, Cu, Ni, Se, Zn) concentrations in liver, gill, and kidneys were determined. Relationships between tissue metal concentrations and condition indicators were also examined. Initially, fish from the clean lake exhibited higher values of condition factor, muscle protein content, and muscle biosynthetic capacities (as measured by nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity) compared to fish from contaminated lakes, whereas liver aerobic and anaerobic capacities (as measured by citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase, respectively) were higher in fish from polluted lakes. After 10 weeks, these indicators reached similar levels in all three populations. Relative to other metals, Se displayed a stronger depuration in the tissues of the three fish populations. Food consumption had a greater influence on FCF and muscle protein content than metal exposure. Captivity resulted in a reduction in muscle aerobic capacities in the three fish groups. (Funded by MITE-RN & NSERC)

Key words: wild yellow perch, metals, depuration, condition