Effects of low pH on reproduction of rainbow trout

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8659(1986)115<75:EOLPOR>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:5001489

Weiner, G S; Schreck, C B; Li, H W

Reproduction of rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri acidic water was studied. Adults were exposed to waters of pH 4.5, 5.0, or 5.5 during the final 6 weeks of reproductive maturation; control acidities were pH 6.5-7.1. Progeny of acid-exposed females and control males had reduced survival through 7 d of development, hatching, and yolk-sac absorption, demonstrating that oogenesis is sensitive to acidic conditions. Similar reductions in the survival of the progeny of acid-exposed males and control females indicate the sensitivity of spermatogenesis to low ambient pH. Among the progeny of unexposed adults, survival through 7 d of development and hatching was lower during rearing at pH 4.5, 5.0, or 5.5 than at pH 6.5-7.1. No eggs exposed to pH 4.5 survived to the eyed stage. Concentrations of plasma estradiol-17..beta.., androgens, and 17..cap alpha..-hydroxy-20..beta..-dihydroprogesterone in acid-exposed adult rainbow trout revealed no gross physiological abnormalities. Plasma calcium concentrations in adult females were unaffected by low pH, but were decreased in adult males exposed to pH 4.5 or 42 d. Plasma sodium concentrations fell slightly in adult fish after 7 d of exposure to pH 4.5, 5.0, or 5.5 and continued to decline in fish exposed to pH 4.5. The authors conclude that reproduction of rainbow trout is likely to be affected by environmental acidification to pH values below 5.5, although responses may be modified by other biological and physical conditions.

• Research Organization: Oregon State Univ., Corvallis
• OSTI ID: 5001489
• Journal Information: Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 115:1; ISSN TAFSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism &amp; Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACIDIFICATION
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ANDROGENS
ANDROSTANES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BLOOD CHEMISTRY
CALCIUM
ELEMENTS
ESTRADIOL
ESTRANES
ESTROGENS
FISHES
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PHYSIOLOGY
REPRODUCTION
SODIUM
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
SURFACE WATERS
TROUT
VERTEBRATES