The effects of temperature on muscle pH, adenylate and phosphogen concentrations in Oreochromis alcalicus grahami, a fish adapted to an alkaline hot‐spring

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Abstract
The concentrations of phosphorylcreatine (PCr), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), inorganic phosphate (Pi), pyruvate and lactate were determined in freeze‐clamped fast muscle samples from Oreochromis alcalicus grahami a fish adapted to extreme alkalinity (∼ pH 10·0) and high temperatures (Lake Magadi, Kenya). Specimens were analysed from both geothermally heated hotsprings (35–37°C) and from isolated cool pools (28°C) and from stocks acclimated to 20°C in the laboratory. The ratios of (ATP)/(ADP) and (ATP)/(ADP) (Pi) decreased with increasing body temperature consistent with an increase in glycolysis and tissue respiration rates, respectively. The apparent equilibrium constant of creatine kinase (KCK), (creatine) (ATP)/(phosphorylcreatine) (ADP) was found to decrease with increasing temperature: 20·2 (20°C), 13·9 (28°C), 8·0 (37°C). A near constant muscle and blood pH (or slight increase in alkalinity with higher temperatures) was found regardless of body temperature (Blood pH 7·64, 7·74, muscle pH 7·27, 7·51 at 20°C and 35°C, respectively). These results are consistent with an unusual pattern of acid‐base regulation in this species.