Use of phenylhydrazine in the detection of responsive changes in haemoglobin isomorph abundances

Abstract

The possible masking of responsive adjustments in hemoglobin isomorph abundances was examined in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. Comparison of untreated animals with specimens recovering from anemia induced by phenylhydrazine hydrochloride at 14 °C under normoxic circumstances revealed significant differences in the relative abundances of 8 of 12 isomorphs representing over half of the total hemoglobin complement. Comparisons with trout similarly treated after normoxic acclimation to 20 °C led to very similar findings. Observed differences do not appear to be attributable to direct phenylhydrazine effects on globin gene expression or to acute anemic hypoxia. It is suggested that prior induction of anemia may provide a means for improving detection of changes in hemoglobin isomorph complement during respiratory response to environmental change.