Physiological Response of the Atlantic Cod (Gadus Morhua) to Hypoxia at Various Environmental Salinities

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Abstract
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) acclimated to water salinities ranging from 28 ‰ to 7 ‰ were exposed to mild (8.0 kPa) or severe (4.0 kPa) hypoxic conditions for 6h. In each experiment, respiratory, acid-base, ionic, haematological and metabolic disturbances were analyzed. During mild hypoxia, a strong hyperventilatory response was observed, resulting in a respiratory alkalosis that persisted throughout the 6-h trial. Plasma Cl− and pyruvate levels were the only other variables to display significant changes: they both increased. In more severe hypoxic conditions, although the ventilatory response was the same, a weak metabolic acidosis was superimposed. The haematological response (increased haematocrit and decreased mean cellular haemoglobin content) suggested that catecholamines were released into the blood. Both Na+ and Cl− concentrations increased significantly. Metabolic perturbations occurred: plasma lactate, pyruvate and glucose concentrations increased markedly. Though lactate concentrations in liver, heart and white muscle increased, the concentrations of pyruvate, glucose and glycogen did not change significantly. Water salinity affected the amplitude of the ionic responses during hypoxia: the amplitude decreased with decreasing salinity. Irrespective of water salinity, 23 of 29 fish survived the severe hypoxic conditions. This relatively good tolerance of low water oxygenation, as compared with other marine bottom-feeders, suggests that this species may face poorly oxygenated waters in the wild. Together with temperature and salinity, ater oxygen content may thus be an important variable to take into account in the study of the distribution and migration patterns of Atlantic cod.