THE EFFECTS OF CORTISOL ADMINISTRATION ON INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM IN TELEOST FISH

1. This Mini Review deals with the metabolic consequences of administration of the hormone cortisol on proteins, carbohydrates and lipids in teleost fish. 2. Many effects of administered cortisol on intermediary metabolism in fish have been reported: inhibition of protein synthesis and/or catabolism of tissue protein which result in higher availability of amino acids, induction of gluconeogenesis and of liver aminotransferases, hyperglycemia and glycogen deposition in the liver, induction of gluconeogenic enzymes, liberation of free fatty acids and deposition of liver lipids. All these effects are observed to a greater or less extent. However, the experimental data show that some effects are inconsistent. 3. Some explanations for the inconsistencies are given.