Abstract
Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were exposed to 3.6 and 6.4 μg Cd/L for periods up to 178 d. Transitory changes in plasma calcium and magnesium were observed in fish exposed to 3.6 μg Cd/L although the differences were not significant. Exposure to 6.4 μg Cd/L, however, resulted in significantly lowered plasma sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride and elevated magnesium concentrations. Analyses of urine indicated that the rate of urine production, osmolality, and sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, and protein concentrations were unaffected by exposure to 3.6 μg Cd/L although slight changes were observed in the first week of exposure. Urine production rate and urinary concentrations of potassium and chloride were unaffected in trout exposed to 6.4 μg Cd/L but sodium, protein, and osmolality were elevated and calcium and magnesium concentrations reduced in these fish. The results demonstrate that the majority of the cadmium-induced electrolyte imbalances do not result from impairment of renal function.

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