Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Role of organophosphates in adaptations of an obligate water-breathing teleost (Tilapia nilotica L.) to hypoxia

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The red cell concentrations of ATP and GTP were investigated in Tilapia nilotica in normal and hypoxic waters. Reduction of water oxygen content diminished the cellular concentrations of both organophosphates. The concentration of ATP fell by about 70% of its normoxic values (2.4 ± 2.6 µ mol Pi 100 ml) at an O2 concentration of 4.5 mg l−1 in the water; further reductions of aquatic oxygen levels were not associated with significant changes in cellular ATP. Normal cellular levels of GTP (25.8 ± 2.7 µ mol Pi: 100 ml RBC) decreased progressively with advanced hypoxia especially at critical aquatic O2 concentrations. The ratio of the concentrations of ATP:GTP (2.4:1) in normoxic water decreased with hypoxia till it approached the equivalence in water of less than 5.5 mg l−1 O2. It is suggested that ATP is more important in modulation of blood oxygen affinity during mild or transient hypoxia and that GTP exerts its regulatory action over a wider range of aquatic O2 concentrations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Babiker, M. M., 1979. Respiratory behaviour, oxygen consumption and relative dependence on aerial respiration in the African lungfish (Protopterus annectens, Owen) and on airbreathing teleost (Clarias lazera, C.). Hydrobiologia 65: 177–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babiker, M. M., 1984. Adaptive respiratory significance of organ ophosphates (ATP & GTP) in air-breathing fishes. Hydrobiol. 110: 339–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett, G. R., 1959a. Human red cell glycolytic intermediates. J. Biol. Chem. 234: 449–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett, G. R., 1959b. Phosphorus assay in column chromatography. J. Biol. Chem. 224: 466–468.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett, G. R., 1968. Phosphorus compounds in the human erythrocyte. Biochim. biophys. Acta 156: 221–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett, G. R., 1978a. Water soluble phosphates of fish red cells. Can. J. Zool. 56: 870–877.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett, G. R., 1978b. Phosphates in red cells of two south American Osteoglossids: Arapaima gigas and Osteoglossum bicirrhosum. Can. J. Zool. 56: 878–881.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett, G. R., 1978c. Phosphates in red cells of two lungfish: the south American Lepidosiren paradoxa, and the African, Protopterus aethiopicus. Can. J. Zool. 56: 882–886.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillens, R. G. & A. Riggs, 1971. The haemoglobin of fresh-water teleost, Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum (B. & G.), The effects of phosphorylated organic compounds upon the oxygen equilibria. Comp. biochem. Physiol. 38B: 585–595.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillens, R. G. & A. Riggs, 1973. Structure and function of the American eel, Anguilla rostrata. J. Biol. Chem. 248: 1961–1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isaacks, R. E., H. D. Kim & D. R. Harkness, 1978. Relationship between phosphorylated metabolic intermediates and whole blood oxygen affinity in some air-breathing and water-breathing teleosts. Can. J. Zool. 56: 887–890.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansen, K., G. Lykkeboe, R. E. Weber & G. M. O. Maloiy, 1976. Respiratory properties of blood in awake and estivating lungfish, Protopterus amphibius. Resp. Physiol. 27: 335–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansen, K., C. P. Mangum & G. Lykkeboe, 1978. Respiratory properties of the blood of Amazon fishes. Can. J. Zool. 56: 898–906.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magid, A. M. A. & M. M. Babiker, 1975. Oxygen consumption and respiratory behaviour of three Nile fishes. Hydrobiologia 46: 359–367.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smit, G. L. & J. Hatting, 1981. The effects of hypoxia on haemoglobins and ATP levels in three freshwater fish species. Comp. biochem. Physiol. 68A: 519–521.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, R. E., G. Lykkeboe & K. Johansen, 1975. Biochemical aspects of the adaptation of Hb-O2 affinity of eels to hypoxia. Life Science 17: 1345–1349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, R. E., G. Lykkeboe & K. Johansen, 1976a. Physiological properties of eel haemoglobin: hypoxic acclimation, phosphate effects and multiplicity. J. exp. Biol. 64: 75–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, R. E., S. C. Wood & J. P. Lomholt, 1976b. Temperature acclimation and oxygen-binding properties of blood and multiple haemoglobins of rainbow trout. J. exp. Biol. 65: 333–348.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, S. C. & K. Johansen, 1972. Adaptations to hypoxia by increased HbO2 affinity and decreased red cell ATP concentration. Nature 237: 278–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, S. C., K. Johansen & R. E. Weber, 1975. Effects of ambient phosphate on haemoglobin-O2 and red cell ATP concentrations in a benthic fish, Pleuronectens platessa. Resp. Physiol. 25: 259–267.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Khartoum, Sudan

    M. M. Babiker

Authors
  1. M. M. Babiker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Babiker, M.M. Role of organophosphates in adaptations of an obligate water-breathing teleost (Tilapia nilotica L.) to hypoxia. Hydrobiologia 121, 59–64 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00035230

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00035230

Keywords

Search

Navigation