Effect of a single residual chlorine pulse upon subsequent in vitro protein synthesis by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) liver

Abstract

Intermittent chlorination, in sublethal concentrations, adversely affects aquatic organisms. Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) exposed to a single 2 h pulse of 0.22 mg l−1 total residual chlorine exhibited a statistically significant decrease in hepatic ribosomal translational ability 4 h after initial toxicant exposure, when compared to control animals. Such a decrease in protein synthesis may provide an explanation for the reduced concentration of certain plasma proteins noted in previous studies. Ribosomal efficiency did not vary at other time intervals. Analysis of variance also revealed significant differences in ribosomal translational efficiency between control and experimental specimens and between fish sampled at different time intervals. Significant differences in ribosomal activity were also noted between animals sacrificed during each of the 3 trial days. Significant group-time, time-day, and group-time-day interactions were also observed, possibly resulting from organismal stress induced by handling.