CHANGES IN BLOOD METABOLITE CONCENTRATIONS IN RESPONSE TO REPEATED CAPTURE, ANESTHESIA AND BLOOD-SAMPLING IN THE GOLDEN PERCH, MACQUARIA-AMBIGUA

1. The major metabolic changes associated with repeated capture, aquarium transfer, anaesthesia and blood sampling were investigated in an Australian freshwater fish, the golden perch (Macquaria ambigua). 2. A compounded stress response was seen after repetition of the procedure, in which the plasma glucose rose within 3 hr and amino acid concentrations rose and the serum free fatty acids concentration fell after 24 hr. 3. Alanine was identified as an important circulating energy store in the stress response of golden perch. 4. No change was noted in the serum protein, plasma lactate or beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, indicating that tissue damage and hypoxia were absent, and that degradation of free fatty acids did not produce metabolites excess to the requirements of gluconeogenesis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle.