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Diel changes in plasma arginine vasotocin, isotocin, and melatonin in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

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Abstract

The diel changes in plasma AVT, IT and Mel in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were studied to assess potential relationships. Blood was sampled at 05:00, 11:00, 16:00, 22:30 and 05:00 in freshwater-adapted fish and at 22:30 in brackish water-adapted fish maintained under natural photoperiod. A few of the FW-acclimated fish were assigned to one of two experimental groups and adapted to DD or LL lighting regimes. Blood samples were taken at 11:00 and 22:30. Hormones were extracted from plasma by solid phase extraction and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Marked diel variations in AVT and Mel were detected in fish maintained under natural photoperiod. Plasma AVT (fmol ml−1) increased during the light to reach the maximal level at the end of that phase (261.7±23.1). Thereafter, AVT concentration decreased and became minimal at 05:00 (68.9±11.5) 3 h before the sunrise. Plasma Mel (pmol ml−1) increased between 16:00 and 22:30 when a peak value was reached (1204.0±55.5). Thereafter, Mel levels decreased and were minimal after the onset of the light phase (242.8±37.0). IT levels displayed no significant diel changes. Linear regression analysis indicated the negative correlation between plasma Mel and AVT for five collecting times of the daily 24 h cycle in freshwater fish and at 22:30 in brackish water fish. A similar correlation occurred at 11:00 in the DD group and at 22:30 in the LL group. To elucidate the character of the Mel-AVT relationships further studies are required.

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  1. Marine Biology Center of Polish Academy of Sciences, św. Wojciecha 5 St., 81-347, Gdynia, Poland (Phone

    E. Kulczykowska

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Kulczykowska, E. Diel changes in plasma arginine vasotocin, isotocin, and melatonin in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 21, 141–146 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007808924841

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