Changes in tissue adenylates and water content of bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, exposed to copper

Abstract

Bluegill were exposed to Cu (2.0 mg/l unfiltered) for 24, 48, 72 or 96 h at 24.degree. C. This concentration approximated the 96 h LC20. Water content of liver increased 4.8% after 24 h exposure and muscle 9.6% by 48 h. These changes persisted throughout the 96 h experiments. Cu exposed fish exhibited decreases in muscle ATP, ADP, total adenylates and energy charge by 48 h. There was a trend toward recovery of ATP with further exposure. Liver ATP of exposed fish was lower than controls at all intervals with the greatest difference evident at 48 h. No significant changes in brain adenylates were observed. Muscle and liver lactic acid was unchanged at 48 h exposure, therefore tissue hypoxia was not the cause of the adenylate changes. Cu caused decreases in muscle and liver ATP several days before probable death of Cu exposed fish, and the changes were the result of dilution by increased tissue water, and the Cu acting on certain cellular enzymes involved in detoxification and energy metabolism.