Thyroid hormone levels in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during the return migration from the ocean to spawn

Abstract

Serum thyroid hormone levels were determined in adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) of both sexes caught in the ocean and at a sequence of locations on their return migration to spawn. Tri‐iodothyronine (T3) levels were greatest in fish caught in coastal or estuarine waters or in a river near head‐of‐tide. T3 levels were lower in fish caught in rivers throughout the angling season and lowest in those captured entering a tributary near spawning. Thyroxine (T4) levels were lowest in immature fish captured in the ocean in winter but raised in fish captured in spring; many of the latter group showed endocrine evidence of their becoming sexually mature. T4 levels were greatest in fish captured in coastal waters and progressively lower in fish captured in an estuary, near head‐of‐tide and in rivers. T4 levels in fish captured at tributary entry near spawning exceeded those in fish caught in rivers earlier in the year. In general, these data support the hypothesis that motor activity level in migrant fish is a determinant of thyroid status.