title: T4 depresses olfactory responses to L-alanine and plasma T3 and T3 production in smoltifying Atlantic salmon.
abstract: During natural or induced smoltification, Atlantic salmon exhibit spring elevations in olfactory activity and plasma L-thyroxine (T4). To determine whether T4 influences olfactory activity, we administered T4 to late parr in early April and measured olfactory bulb electroencephalogram and olfactory epithelium electroolfactorogram responses to L-alanine nasal stimulation, plasma T4 and 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) levels, and hepatic and brain monodeiodination. T4 treatment raised plasma T4 to 15 ng/ml, simulating the smolt T4 surge, and depressed plasma T3 and electroencephalogram responses, without modifying electroolfactorogram responses. Decreased plasma T3 may be explained by inhibition of hepatic T4 outer-ring deiodination, generating T3, and stimulation of inner-ring deiodination, degrading T4 and T3. Brain T4 outer-ring deiodination was also strongly inhibited. In conclusion, creation of a high plasma T4 concentration simulating the natural smolt peak depressed olfactory bulb responses to L-alanine due to the high T4 concentration or the depressed T3 availability in brain induced by T4. T4 may terminate the period of heightened olfactory responsiveness during smoltification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Eales
mesh_terms: D000409:Alanine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005880:Gills / Q000201:enzymology; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012474:Salmon / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014284:Triiodothyronine; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D000409:Alanine; D013974:Thyroxine