The copper-induced reduction of critical swimming speed in rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) is not caused by changes in gill structure

• Published in: Aquatic toxicology Vol. 94; no. 1; pp. 77 - 79
• Main Authors: Waser, Wolfgang, Bausheva, Olga, Nikinmaa, Mikko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 13.08.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Copper - toxicity; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Gill epithelium; Gills - drug effects; Locomotion; Motor Activity - drug effects; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Oncorhynchus mykiss - physiology; Salmonid; Swimming; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Locomotion; Cu; Salmonid; Gill epithelium; Salmonidae; Speed; Gill; Ecotoxicology; Toxicity; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Heavy metal; Aquatic environment; Pollutant; Vertebrata; Pisces; Swimming; Copper
• ISSN: 0166-445X; 1879-1514
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2009.05.016

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.