Sublethal concentrations of ammonia impair performance of the teleost fast-start escape response

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ
D J McKenzieP Domenici

Abstract

The fast-start escape response in fish is essential for predator avoidance, but almost nothing is known about whether sublethal concentrations of pollutants can impair this reflex. Ammonia, a pervasive pollutant of aquatic habitats, is known to have toxic effects on nervous and muscle function in teleost fish. Golden gray mullet (Liza aurata L.) were exposed for 24 h to sublethal ammonia concentrations in seawater (control, 400 micromol L(-1), or 1,600 micromol L(-1) NH(4)Cl), and then their response to startling with a mechanical stimulus was measured with high-speed video. Initiation of the escape response was significantly slowed by ammonia exposure: response latency rose proportionally from <50 ms in controls to >300 ms at a concentration of 1,600 micromol L(-1 ) NH(4)Cl. This indicates toxic effects on nervous function within the reflex arc. Impaired escape performance was also observed: maximum turning rate, distance covered, velocity, and acceleration were significantly reduced by >45% at a concentration of 1,600 micromol L(-1) NH(4)Cl. This indicates toxic effects on fast-twitch glycolytic white muscle function, the muscle type that powers the fast-start response. These neuromotor impairments were associated with signif...Continue Reading

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Citations

May 25, 2010·Aquatic Toxicology·Manuel E Ortiz-SantaliestraMiguel Lizana
May 4, 2010·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·C TudoracheT J Benfey
Jan 15, 2010·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological Genetics and Physiology·Paolo Domenici
Jan 25, 2019·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Michael J LawrenceSteven J Cooke
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Apr 15, 2017·Ecotoxicology·Núria GarrigaG A Llorente
Feb 23, 2021·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Garett Joseph Patrick AllenDirk Weihrauch
Jun 8, 2021·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Jiri PikulaMiroslava Palikova
Aug 7, 2021·Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences·Prince Sharma, Pooja Chadha
Sep 17, 2021·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Diana A MonteiroDavid J McKenzie

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