Use of Adenylate Concentrations and Adenylate Energy Charge as Indicators of Hypoxic Stress in Estuarine Fish

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Abstract
Normal ATP concentrations in the white muscle of 11 different estuarine fish species varied from 3.91 to 6.59 μmol/g. Concentrations of different adenylates in the white muscle were not related to a species' natural level of swimming activity. When fish were exposed to hypoxia, ATP concentrations declined as much as 72% in some species. Decreases in ATP were not reflected in stoichiometric increases in ADP or AMP but rather in a reduction in total adenylate concentration. Sensitivity to hypoxia, expressed as changes in adenylate concentrations, was related to a species' natural level of activity and habitat preference. ATP concentration, total adenylate concentration, and adenylate energy charge appear to be useful indicators of environmental stress.Key words: ATP, energy charge, hypoxia, stress assessment