Biochemical Studies on Sockeye Salmon During Spawning Migration.: XIII. The Distribution of Phosphorus Compounds, Creatine and Inositol in the Major Tissues

Abstract

The acid-soluble and fat-soluble phosphorus components, acid-soluble, lipid and total inositol and creatine content of the major tissues of sockeye salmon were determined at three locations during its river migration. With the exception of the gonads, these components were found in approximately the same concentration in the corresponding tissues of both sexes at the start of migration. The changes in total phosphate per unit weight during migration were most significant in the alimentary tract and liver of both sexes, and in the gonads of the female. Except for the gonads, the changes in inositol components were similar in both sexes. The same was true of the creatine content. In general, the tissues of the female were somewhat higher than those of the male in creatine, except in the gonads where milt contained 6 to 7 times the amount found in roe.The absolute amounts of the various components were calculated on the basis of the standard fish. A tissue component was sometimes markedly increased or decreased in absolute quantity in the standard fish, due not to a change in the concentration of the constituents but rather to an appreciable change in the weight of the tissue. This was especially true for the alimentary tract and roe.