Metabolic control of Argyropelecus hemigymnus photophores: effects of glucose and pyruvate

Abstract

Modifications in oxygen consumption and luminescence of isolated luminescent organs of the mesopelagic fish Argyropelecus hemigymnus following glucose and pyruvate administration were studied before and during light emission triggered by adrenaline. Isolated photophores (mean fresh weight 13.5 ± 0.9 mg) at rest, i.e., in the absence of light emission, in saline (20 °C) exhibit a respiration rate of 1.045 ± 0.082 (SE) nmol O2/min (n = 35). A significant decrease (p = 0.05) in oxygen consumption was observed after the addition of 5.5 mM glucose. Instead of the oxygen decrease usually observed as a result of control stimulations using adrenaline, photophores pretreated with glucose increased their oxygen uptake in response to adrenaline, and maximal light emission was reduced by 85% (p = 0.01). The addition of 5.5 mM pyruvate induced a significant transient increase (p = 0.05) in oxygen uptake of isolated photophores, though this treatment did not statistically modify the mean time course of oxygen consumption and light emission in response to adrenaline. The hypothesis of a hypometabolic state of the isolated photophores of A. hemigymnus during light emission is discussed.