title: High concentrations of methemoglobin in five species of temperate marine teleosts.
abstract: Blood samples from five species of marine teleosts were assayed for methemoglobin (metHb) levels during winter and summer acclimatization. There was at least 7% total hemoglobin in the met-form in all species, and as high as 27% in one species, the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). There was significant seasonal variation in metHb levels for three of the five species, the highest values occurring during the winter months; cunners (Tautogolabrus adspersus) 15.6% in winter and 10.1% in the summer, shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) 20.0% in the winter and 8.19% in the summer, longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus) 17.3-21.6% in the winter and 8.12% in the summer. The winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) and the Atlantic cod maintained metHb concentrations constant throughout the year: 13% and 27%, respectively. There does not appear to be any relationship between the activity of a fish and the level of metHb in its blood.
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization; D000818:Animals; D005399:Fishes / Q000097:blood*; D008706:Methemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D008706:Methemoglobin