Date of Award
2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Biology
Supervisor
Dr. Louise Milligan
Abstract
Much is known about carbohydrate metabolism in adult fish, however virtually
nothing is known about this in early life stages. The purpose ofthis study was to examine carbohydrate metabolism at various stages of early development (from fertilization to free-feeding) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Total body glycogen and free glucose increased throughout development, with the greatest changes occurring at hatch and free-feeding stages. Lactate content increased 3-fold at hatch, and persistedthroughfree-feeding. Glycogenphosphorylaseactivitywasnotdetecteduntil 21 dpf and lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH) not until hatch. Taken together, the increase in glycogen phosphorylase, LDH and glycogen content suggests that embryos areinpreparationforlocomotoryactivityfollowinghatch. Consistentwiththisidea, dechorionated embryos had an increase in glycogen compared to their unfed counterparts. Also, free-feeding likely provides substrates to support glycogenesis seen in free-feeding larvae, as indicated by decreased glycogen content in food-restricted larvae.
Recommended Citation
Vandekieft, Kristen M., "METABOLIC PATTERNS DURING THE EARLY LIFE HISTORY OF RAINBOW TROUT (Oncorhynchus mykiss)" (2008). Digitized Theses. 4840.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4840