Effects of chronic sublethal ammonia and a simulated summer global warming scenario: protein synthesis in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Abstract

Protein synthesis, net accretion, and degradation in liver, gill, and white muscle and ribosomal translational efficiency and protein synthesis capacity in liver and gill were measured using a flooding dose of [3H]phenylalanine in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The fish were chronically exposed (90 days) in hardwater to the presence or absence of sublethal ammonia (70 µmol total ammonia ·L-1) alone or in combination with a 2°C elevation in the normal temperature profile over the months of June-September 1993 (ambient temperature range 13-22°C). Chronic sublethal exposure to ammonia had little impact on gill protein synthesis and degradation (protein turnover) and even less in muscle. However, in the liver, both protein synthesis and degradation were stimulated following 60 days of the sublethal ammonia exposure. The 2°C elevation in temperature resulted in a slight increase in protein turnover in both gills and liver. However, during the period of peak water temperature, the 2°C elevation in temperature inhibited protein dynamics in these tissues. Overall, elevated environmental ammonia in combination with a summer global warming scenario would challenge the ability of fish to adapt to alterations in the quality of their environment, most notably during periods of peak temperatures.