Dissolved oxygen and ammonia levels in water that affect plasma ionic content and gallbladder bile in silver catfish

Abstract

Ionic contents (Na+, K+ and Cl-) of plasma and gallbladder bile (GB) of juveniles silver catfish, Rhamdia quelen (156.1±0.2g, 28.2±0.3cm), were determined in three different times (0, 6 and 24h) after exposure to: a) control or high dissolved oxygen (DO = 6.5mg L-1) + low NH3 (0.03mg L-1); b) low DO (3.5mg L-1) + low NH3; c) high DO + high NH3 (0.1mg L-1); and d) low DO + high NH3. High waterborne NH3 or low DO levels increased plasma and GB ion levels. These parameters might have followed different mechanisms to affect osmoregulation since a synergic effect of these variables was detected.