HALF-LIFE AND UPTAKE OF ASCORBIC-C-14-1 ACID IN SELECTED ORGANS OF RAINBOW-TROUT (SALMO-GAIRDNERI)

1. 1. The uptake and apparent half-life of 14C-1-ascorbic acid was determined in selected organs of rainbow trout over an 84 day period. 2. 2. Brain ascorbic acid concentrations in the trout were consistently higher than those in the other tissues measured. 3. 3. Uptake of 14C radioactivity by whole brain tissues of the trout was initially lower than in the other tissues; however, 14C radioactivity continued to increase in this organ until 42 days post-injection. This would indicate that whole brain tissues of the trout take a long time to reach an equilibrium state and suggests the existence of a blood-brain barrier to ascorbic acid in the central nervous system of the trout. 4. 4. The half-life of ascorbic acid in selected organs of the rainbow trout appears to be very much longer than that of other animals. 5. 5. Specific activity measurements suggest that the rainbow trout has a slow rate of synthesis of ascorbic acid. © 1979.