We evaluated the effects of chloride concentration on the clinical pathology in juvenile Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus (Mitchill), following semi-static exposures to 1 mg L-1 nitrite for 96h. In spring water naturally low in chloride (5mg L-1), plasma nitrite concentrated to more than 40x environmental levels resulting in a severe methaemoglobinemia characterized by torpid behaviour, 30-fold increase in methaemoglobin fraction, anaemia, leucopenia and hyperkalaemia. Loss of intracellular water and potassium to extracellular space may have resulted in hyperkalaemia and haemodilution. Fish survived nitrite exposure, but 60% of torpid fish died following capture and tissue sampling. Fish acclimated to 10-fold higher chloride content (55 mg L-1) did not concentrate nitrite in the plasma above environmental levels or develop methaemoglobinemia, but did exhibit similar haematology and plasma chemistry changes. Plasma nitrite returned to preexposure levels by 14 days following nitrite exposures, but severity of clinical pathology changes persisted or increased, suggesting that Atlantic sturgeon have reduced capacity to recover from methaemoglobinemia. Fish that survive methaemoglobinemia may be susceptible to mortality from the cumulative effects of intoxication, handling and other stresses for two or more weeks following nitrite remediation. Chloride buffering in aquaculture systems reduces the toxic effects of nitrite accumulation.

Journal of Applied IchthyologyVolume 26, Issue 3 p. 420-423 Initial evaluation of various foods and diets in feed training wild-caught Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) onto a commercial diet A. M. Lazur, A. M. Lazur Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USASearch for more papers by this authorE. Markin, E. Markin Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USASearch for more papers by this authorW. Van Heukelem, W. Van Heukelem Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USASearch for more papers by this author A. M. Lazur, A. M. Lazur Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USASearch for more papers by this authorE. Markin, E. Markin Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USASearch for more papers by this authorW. Van Heukelem, W. Van Heukelem Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 06 May 2010 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2009.01363.xCitations: 2 Author’s address: Andrew M. Lazur, Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, PO Box 754, Cambridge, MD 21613, USA.E-mail: [email protected] Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL References Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, 2006: Guidelines for stocking cultured Atlantic sturgeon for supplementation or reintroduction. Special Report No. 87, pp. 36. Bardi, R. W., Jr; Chapman, F. A.; Barrows, F. T., 1998: Feeding trials with hatchery-produced Gulf of Mexico sturgeon larvae. Prog. Fish Cult. 60, 25– 31. Brosse, L.; Dumont, P.; Lepage, M.; Rochard, E., 2002: Evaluation of a gastric lavage method for sturgeon. North Am. J. Fish. Manage. 22, 955– 960. Dilauro, M. N., 1998: Renewal of voluntary feeding by wild-caught Atlantic sturgeon juveniles in captivity. Prog. Fish Cult. 60, 311– 314. Kasumyan, A. O., 1999: Olfaction and taste sense in sturgeon behaviour. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 15, 228– 232. Kasumyan, A. O.; Kazhlaev, A. A., 1993: Formation of searching behavioural reaction and olfactory sensitivity to food chemical signals during ontogeny of sturgeons. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 33, 51– 65. Klassen, C. N.; Peake, S. J., 2008: Effect of diet switch timing and food source on survival of lake sturgeon. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 24, 527– 533. Mohler, J. W. 2003: Culture manual for the Atlantic sturgeon. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5 Publ., Hadley, Massachusetts, pp. 66. Shamushaki, J. V. A.; Abtahi, B.; Kasumyan, A. O.; Kenari, A. A.; Ghorbani, R., 2008: Taste attractiveness of free amino acids for juveniles of Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 48, 124– 133. Citing Literature Volume26, Issue3June 2010Pages 420-423 ReferencesRelatedInformation