EFFECTS OF PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO AMMONIA ON THE BLOOD AND LIVER-GLYCOGEN OF COHO SALMON (ONCORHYNCHUS-KISUTCH)

1. Duplicate groups (90 fish each) of hatchery-reared coho salmon were exposed for 91 days to either river water only (control), one of three concentrations of NH4Cl (3, 16, 47 mg N/1) in river water, or to 30% unchlorinated secondary-treated domestic sewage, all in continuous flow and unrecycled. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were reduced to levels indicative of anemia and the numbers of circulating immature erythrocytes increased. 2. Blood ammonia and urea concentrations were not significantly different after 91 days regardless of concentration of ambient ammonia. 3. Plasma Na+ concentration increased, probably as a result of accelerated NH4+ excretion; and in some instances plasma K+ and Cl- concentrations changed. 4. Blood glucose diminished, whereas liver glycogen stores increased; but these effects were significantly related only when glucose content was normal. © 1979.