Physiological Responses of Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) to Electroshock

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Abstract
Electroshocking elicited an immediate increase in plasma corticoid and lactate concentrations and thrombocyte:leucocyte ratio in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Plasma glucose concentrations increased significantly after 3 h. Plasma protein, calcium, magnesium, and androgen levels were not measurably affected. Plasma lactate returned to preshock levels within 3 h, but corticoid and glucose concentrations remained elevated for at least 6 h. The fish coughed violently or did not resume normal breathing rates for 60 s post shocking. Although breathing frequency did not increase, buccal pressure increased substantially and required at least 1 h to return to preshock levels. Cardiac activity was irregular immediately after shocking, but no predictable alterations in rate were evident thereafter. The height of the T wave in ECGs increased markedly 1–3 min after shocking. The electrophoretic patterns of 13 isoenzymes from liver, white muscle, and plasma did not differ between fish captured by dipnet and those captured by electrofishing.Responses exhibited by fish to shocking are most likely attributable to combined effects of trauma, factors associated with paying off of an oxygen debt, and attributes associated with the general adaptation syndrome of stress. A substantial period of time of more than 6 h is required for fish to return to "normal" preshock conditions.