Effects of Feeding on the Thyroid, Kidney, and Pancreas in Sexually Ripening Adult Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhyncus nerka)

Abstract

In unfed adult sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, histological examination showed extensive degenerative changes in the thyroid, pancreas, and kidney during gonad development. The more pronounced changes were generally noted in starved fish spawned in the wild. Feeding either prevented (thyroid) or distinctly reduced (pancreas, kidney) these changes in the sexually ripe fish. In fed spent sockeye the thyroid showed little change, the kidney exhibited further deterioration although not as marked as in the corresponding unfed fish, but the pancreas showed marked degenerative changes comparable with those exhibited in the unfed.