The copper-induced reduction of critical swimming speed in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is not caused by changes in gill structure.
In the present experiments, we investigated, if copper exposure causes a decrease in the critical swimming speed, as has been observed earlier, and if such a decrease can be explained by a disturbance in gill structure. The results show that this is not the case. While copper exposure tended to increase the thickness of gill diffusion barrier in resting fish, a similar difference was not seen in swimming animals. However, copper exposure caused a decrease in the critical swimming speed. This decrease must thus be caused by factors other than structural changes in the gills, associated with copper exposure.
Waser
Wolfgang
W
Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Genetics and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland. wolfgang.waser@utu.fi
Bausheva
Olga
O
Nikinmaa
Mikko
M
D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity*; D005880:Gills / Q000187:drug effects*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D017686:Oncorhynchus mykiss / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper