Effects of adrenalin on the oxygen consumption and luminescence of the photophores of the mesopelagic fish Argyropelecus hemigymnus

• Published in: Journal of experimental biology Vol. 118; no. 1; pp. 341 - 349
• Main Authors: MALLEFET, J, BAGUET, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Company of Biologists 01.09.1985
• Subjects: Argyropelecus hemigymnus; Biological and medical sciences; bioluminescence; epinephrine; fish physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; hormones; luminescence; Marine; neurophysiology; oxygen; oxygen consumption; photophores; Vertebrates: skin, associated glands, phaneres, light organs, various exocrine glands (salt gland, uropygial gland...), adipose tissue, connective tissue; Epinephrine; Marine environment; Light organ; Vertebrata; Bioluminescence; Pisces; Oxygen consumption
• ISSN: 0022-0949; 1477-9145
• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.118.1.341

ABSTRACT Photophores isolated from the mesopelagic fish Argyropelecus hemigymnus consume oxygen at a rate of 1·22± 0·17 nmol min-1 in saline at 20°C. In the presence of 5 x 10−4moll-1 adrenalin the preparations that responded by a long-lasting luminescence showed a significant decrease of their resting respiration rate. After the adrenalin had been washed out, oxygen consumption increased immediately to the previous resting level and was inhibited by 5 x 10−4moll-1 KCN. It is suggested that the mechanism of light production by isolated photophores of the epipelagic fish Porichthys and the mesopelagic fish Argyropelecus are different.