A study of glycogen and lactate in the myotomal muscles and liver of the Coalfish (Gadus virensL.) during sustained swimming

Abstract

The locomotor roles of the myotomal muscles of fish are dependent on swimming speed. The mean maximum sustained swimming speed for coalfish (Gadus virensL.) during a 6-h period in an experimental exercise chamber was determined using a fixedvelocity technique and found to be 4 bodylengths/s. Biochemical measurements were made on the concentration of glycogen and lactate in the red muscle and white muscle at a series of known swimming speeds. Evidence is provided that red muscle alone is used at speeds below 2 bodylengths/s. The fall in concentration of red muscle glycogen was directly proportional to increased swimming speed. At speeds in excess of 2 bodylengths/s a statistically significant increase in lactate concentration occurred in the white muscle fibres. A reduction in glycogen content of the white muscle was also noted at speeds at and above the estimated mean sustained swimming speed. These results are discussed in the light of the current ideas pertaining to the division of labour between myotomal muscles in fish.