Gammarus scope for growth (SfG) is a 7-day assay that measures the effect of stress on the energy budgets of individuals. Brooding female G. pulex were used to compare the effect of Zn on SfG and on reproduction. A significant effect was observed at 0.3 mg Zn l-1, when SfG was reduced as a result of a decrease in energy absorbed, and there was a decrease in the size of offspring released from the subsequent brood. There was no effect on size or number of offspring released from the current brood nor on the number of offspring in the subsequent brood. Both present and past zinc stress caused an increase in the number of broods aborted. (See also 90L/13114 and 13115). -from Authors