Abstract
Aim:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the facilitatory role of
thyroxine during adaptation process of catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis
in higher salinity following its exogenous administration by monitoring
changes in plasma osmolality, branchial and renal sodium-potassium dependent
adenosine triphosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase enzyme activity profiles
and study the effect of direct transfer of fish to higher salinities on
plasma thyroxine levels.
Methodology: Catfish were directly transferred from tap water to
30 and 35% sea water and plasma thyroxine profiles were analysed. Fish were
injected with thyroxine at a dose of 2 and 5 µg g-1 b.wt. daily
for five days and then transferred to tap water and 30% sea water. Fish were
sampled after day 3 and day 6, post-transfer and plasma osmolality was
measured, and the enzyme activities were determined in gills and kidney.
Results:
Higher levels of plasma thyroxine were observed after transfer of fish from
tap water to higher salinities. Treatment of fish with thyroxine at higher
dose (5 µg g-1 b.wt.) showed a significant increase in plasma
osmolality in tap water (p<0.05) while the enzymes in gills were found to
be significantly higher both in tap water (p<0.05; p<0.01for Na+/K+-ATPase
and p<0.001 for SDH) and 30% sea water (p<0.001for Na+/K+-ATPase
and p<0.01; p<0.001 for SDH). No significant changes were observed in
any of the parameters analysed after exogenous administration of thyroxine at
lower dose (2 µg g-1 b.wt.).
Interpretation: Thyroxine affects
the osmotic adjustment of fish following transfer to higher salinities and
its exogenous administration at at a dose of 5 µg g-1 b.wt. may
improve the hypoosmoregulatory ability.
Key words: Hormonal control, Osmoregulation, Teleost, Thyroid
hormones
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