Effect of Long-Term Exposure to Acidf Aluminum, and Low Calcium on Adult Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontimlis). 2. Vitellogenesss and Osmoregulation

Abstract

Adult brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were exposed for 193 d (previtellogenesis to spawning) to six combinations of acid, Al, and low Ca. Survival and growth were reduced by low pH combined with low Ca concentrations. After 41 d of exposure, fish in ail low pH exposures showed depressed plasma osmolality and Na concentrations, but by day 97 this apparent osmoregulatory stress was compensated for in all but the most severe treatment (pH 4.97, 47 μg inorganic Al/L, 0.5 mg Ca/L). At the observed peak of yolking (day 147), fish exposed to this treatment also had mean concentrations of plasma estradiol, vitellogenin, and Ca of only half control values. Fecundity (eggs per female) was significantly reduced as well, but this reduction was due in part to decreased growth. Despite these abnormalities in ionoregulatory and reproductive physiology, fish in all treatment conditions produced mature eggs. Among fish in stressful conditions, individual variation in growth and physiological parameters appeared to be correlated with osmoregulatory status. We hypothesize that the suite of physiological disturbances observed are linked to osmoregulatory impairment.