Temporal dynamics in growth and white skeletal muscle composition of the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus during chronic hypoxia and hyperoxia

B. B. Rees*, T. E. Targett, B. J. Ciotti, C. A. Tolman, S. S. Akkina, A. M. Gallaty

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

<jats:p>Specific growth rate (<jats:italic>G</jats:italic><jats:sub>S</jats:sub>) and white skeletal muscle composition were measured in the mummichog <jats:italic>Fundulus heteroclitus</jats:italic> over a period of 28 days at four levels of dissolved oxygen (DO): severe hypoxia (<jats:italic>c</jats:italic>. 1·2 mg O<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> l<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>), moderate hypoxia (3·0 mg O<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> l<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>), normoxia (7·1 mg O<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> l<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>) and hyperoxia (10·6 mg O<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> l<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>). The <jats:italic>G</jats:italic><jats:sub>S</jats:sub> was calculated over 0–8, 0–14, 0–28 and 14–28 days, and muscle protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), DNA, RNA and water were measured at 0, 8, 14 and 28 days. Exposure of fish to severe hypoxia was associated with significantly reduced <jats:italic>G</jats:italic><jats:sub>S</jats:sub>, lower muscle protein content and lower RNA:DNA compared with other DO treatments. When calculated over the first and second half of the 28 day exposure, however, <jats:italic>G</jats:italic><jats:sub>S</jats:sub> of fish in severe hypoxia increased significantly during the second two‐week interval, to the same rate as that of normoxic fish. Muscle LDH activity and water content were not significantly affected by DO level. Neither moderate hypoxia nor hyperoxia significantly affected <jats:italic>G</jats:italic><jats:sub>S</jats:sub> or any biochemical variable. The results demonstrate that <jats:italic>F. heteroclitus</jats:italic> can tolerate wide variation in ambient oxygen concentration and, during prolonged exposure to severe hypoxia, shows significant compensation for the initial negative effects on growth. The capacity of <jats:italic>F. heteroclitus</jats:italic> to grow over a wide range of DO probably contributes to its ability to exploit habitats characterized by marked variation in oxygen availability.</jats:p>
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)148-164
Number of pages0
JournalJournal of Fish Biology
Volume81
Issue number1
Early online date22 May 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2012

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