Ontogenetic Variation in the Multiple Hemoglobins of Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Effect of Environmental Factors on Their Expression

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Abstract
Hemolyzates from the blood of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) at various stages of development were subjected to micro-starch-gel electrophoresis. Three distinct electrophoretic patterns composed of different combinations of 18 hemoglobin tetramers were observed. Embryonic and yolk-sac alevins possessed 1 cathodic and 12 anodic components while fry retained only 3 of the 12 anodic polymorphs. During smoltification, 4 new cathodic components appeared and 2 of the anodic and the cathodic components of alevin hemolyzates reappeared. This latter pattern was retained until the fish spawned and died. Attempts to induce changes in the pattern of development of these hemoglobins by exposing fry and pre-smolts to extreme variations in dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity were completely unsuccessful.