Abstract
Mature male and female rainbow trout were treated with low pH (Av. 4.5) sulfuric acid water for 1 or 2 weeks. Percentage of eyed embryos in eggs from control, 1-week-treated and 2-week-treated females were 100%, 80% and 0%, respectively. Low pH exposure of male trout induced 11% deformation in embryos fertilized with their sperm. In order to clarify the physiological mechanism of the effects of low pH exposure, sex hormone levels were compared. In female fish, plasma sex hormones levels showed no difference among the groups, but egg contents of 17α20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, which induces oocyte maturation, were significantly lower in low pH exposed groups. Acidified male fish showed higher plasma levels of the spermiation inducing hormone, 11-ketotestosterone. Effects on eggs were manifested under pH lower than 5. Under continual rearing of land-locked sockeye salmon in acid water, the effects on the oocyte were observed in those adult females which were exposed to acidic condition for more than 1 week before the timing of ovulation. These results suggest that low pH affects oocyte maturational events occurring just 1 week before ovulation, and that acid stress affects the endocrinological mechanisms of final maturation in fish gametocytes. Thus, acidification of the aquatic environment may reduce the reproductive activity of fish at rather low acidity levels.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Campbell, P.M., Pottinger, T.G. and Sumpter, J.P.: 1992, Biol. Reprod. 47, 1140–1150.
Feist, G., Schreck, C.B., Fitzpatrich, M.S. and Redding, J.M.: 1990, Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 80, 299–313.
Ikuta, K., Aida, K., Okumoto, N. and Hanyu, L.: 1987, Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 65, 99–110.
Ikuta, K., Shikama, T., Oda, S. and Okumoto, N.: 1992, Bull. Natl. Res. Inst. Aquaculture 21, 39–45.
Johnson, D.W. and Webster, D.A.: 1977, J. Fish. Res. Board. Can. 34, 2215–2218.
Miura, T., Yamauchi, K., Takahashi, H. and Nagahama, Y.: 1991, Biomed. Res. 12, 241–248.
Mount D.R., Ingersoll, C.G., Gulley, D.D., Fernandez, J.D., LaPoint, T.W. and Bergman, H.L.: 1988, Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 45, 1623–1632.
Nagahama, Y.: 1987, Develop. Growth Differ. 29, 1–12.
Rambough, P.J.: 1983, Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 40, 1575–1582.
Tam, W.H. and Payson, P.D.: 1986, Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 43, 275–280.
Tam, W.H., Fryer, J.N., Valentine, B. and Roy, R.J.J.: 1990, Can. J. Zool. 68, 2468–2476.
Tang, Y., Nolan, S. and Boutilier, R.G.: 1988, J. Exp. Biol. 134, 297–312.
VanDijk, P.L.M., Van Den Thillart, G.E.E.J.M., Balm, P. and Wendelaar Bonga, S.: 1993, J. Fish Biol. 42, 661–671.
Vuorinen, P.J., Vuorinen, M., Peuranen, S., Rask, M., Lappalaonen, A. and Raitaniemi, J.: 1992, Environ. Pollut. 78, 19–27.
Vuorinen, P.J. and Vuorinen, M.: 1992, Finnish Fish. Res. 13, 119–132.
Weiner, G.S., Schreck, C.B. and Hiram, W.LI: 1986, Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 115, 75–82.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ikuta, K., Kitamura, S. Effects of low ph exposure of adult salmonids on gametogenesis and embryo development. Water Air Soil Pollut 85, 327–332 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00476850
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00476850