SYNTHESIS, HALF-LIFE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ASCORBIC-ACID IN RAINBOW-TROUT

1. 1. Synthesis of ascorbic acid from [1-14C] glucose in yearling and mature rainbow trout is not conclusive at this time but may occur in some fish. 2. 2. The biological half-life of [1-14C]ascorbic acid in the head kidney of yearling rainbow trout on the basis of TLC-14C radioactivity analysis was approximately 20-21 days. 3. 3. The ascorbic acid levels in the tissues of rainbow on a replete diet showed that the highest concentrations were found in the female gonads, with the brain, head kidney, testes, spleen, liver, eyes, red muscle, white muscle and heart tissues having lower concentrations in that order. 4. 4. The ascorbic acid concentration in the ripe ovary would represent a considerable store of the vitamin, which would also suggest a critical function of this vitamin in the reproduction of this animal and the feeding of an ascorbic deficient diet to the brood stock could therefore impair the reproductive performance of the trout. © 1979.