skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Hematological responses of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax to sublethal nitrite exposures

Journal Article · · Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.; (United States)

Hemoglobin, methemoglobin, and blood nitrite concentrations were determined during and after 96-hour exposures of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax to sublethal concentrations of nitrite in seawater at 26 C. As exposure time or exposure concentration increased, total and functional hemoglobin concentrations decreased in blood, while percent methemoglobin increased. The 96-hour median effective concentrations of nitrite in seawater (EC50, the concentration causing 50% reduction in blood) were 87.2 mg/liter for total hemoglobin (95% confidence limits, 64-118 mg/liter) and 62.4 mg/liter (45-87 mg/liter) for functional hemoglobin. Histochemical analysis of spleen tissues from fish exposed to 50 and 75 mg/liter NO/sub 2/-N, which reduced total hemoglobin to 17% and 49%, respectively, showed Fe/sup + + +/ originating from hemoglobin destruction and indicated hemolytic anemia caused by spleen marcophages. Nitrite concentrations in blood were lower than those in test water. Inhibition of nitrite uptake by chloride in seawater may protect sea bass against nitrite toxicity. 18 references, 3 figures, 1 table.

Research Organization:
National Council of Research (CNR), Lesina, Italy
OSTI ID:
5001096
Journal Information:
Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 113:3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English