Carbohydrate metabolism in several tissues of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, is modified during ovarian recrudescence

Abstract

1. 1. Several pathways of carbohydrate metabolism were evaluated in three different tissues—liver, gonad and kidney—of a hatchery-reared population of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) which characterised two different stages of their gonadal maturation, i.e. previtellogenesis and established exogenous vitellogenesis. 2. 2. A fall in liver glycogen levels was observed during exogenous vitellogenesis. A decrease in activity of the enzymes involved in glycolysis and in the pentose phosphate shunt was also observed, suggesting that at the end of exogenous vitellogenesis the necessity of energy and reducing power has decreased compared to the situation at the onset of this period. 3. 3. The main changes observed in gonad during vitellogenesis were the decreased activity of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate shunt as well as increased glycogen levels. The stored glycogen should be used later in association with the embryo development. 4. 4. No major changes were observed in kidney metabolism throughout the vitellogenic process. 5. 5. Exogenous vitellogenesis in rainbow trout is mainly associated with increased glycogen levels in the gonad and decreased metabolic activity in the liver.