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Changes in plasma thyroxine, triiodothyronine and cortisol associated with starvation in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

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Chronically starved rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) showed a significant fall in liver size, total liver glycogen, liver glycogen concentration and plasma glucose levels. Liver lipid concentration did not differ significantly from controls although total liver lipid reserves fell during the first 40 days of starvation but had partly recovered after 65 days of starvation. Plasma cortisol and T3 levels did not show consistent changes concomitant with food deprivation over the 65 day period of the experiment. However, plasma T4 levels in fish starved for 40 or 65 days were significantly lower than comparably fed animals. The involvement of T4 in intermediate metabolic processes in salmonids is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NIG 2W1, Canada

    Robert S. Milne & John F. Leatherland

  2. Department of Nutrition, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NIG 2W1, Canada

    Bruce J. Holub

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  1. Robert S. Milne
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  2. John F. Leatherland
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  3. Bruce J. Holub
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Milne, R.S., Leatherland, J.F. & Holub, B.J. Changes in plasma thyroxine, triiodothyronine and cortisol associated with starvation in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Environ Biol Fish 4, 185–190 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005452

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005452

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