Low temperature regulation of antifreeze glycopeptide levels in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garth L. Fletcher ◽  
Madonna J. King ◽  
Ming H. Kao
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Half Time ◽  
Antifreeze Glycoproteins ◽  
Long Day ◽  
Biological Half Time ◽  
Influence Of Water

The influence of water temperature and photoperiod on the timing of the annual cycle of plasma antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGP) was examined in Atlantic cod. Long day lengths (18 h) or continuous light had no effect on the time of appearance or disappearance of AFGP from the plasma. Cold water (0 °C) advanced the time of AFGP appearance by as much as 100 days. Long day lengths had no effect on this early induction of AFGP production. AFGP was not detectable in the plasma of fish exposed to water temperatures greater than 1 °C. Although small amounts of AFGP did appear in the plasma of cod exposed to 1 °C, it immediately began to disappear while plasma levels in normal and 0 °C acclimated cod continued to rise. The biological half time of AFGP activity was very sensitive to temperature, ranging from 15.6 days at 5 °C to 99.4 days at 0 °C. The results of this study suggest that the appearance of AFGP in cod during the winter months is dependent on the cod's exposure to water temperatures at least as low as 1 °C. Although 1 °C appears to be capable of initiating production of AFGP, it is not low enough to allow normal protective levels to be built up in the plasma.

Thermoregulatory behaviour in cod: Is the thermal preference in free-ranging adult Atlantic cod affected by food abundance?

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 1515-1527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Björnsson
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Data Storage ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Vertical Mixing ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Thermoregulatory Behaviour

This study supports the hypothesis that well-fed cod (Gadus morhua) seek higher temperatures to increase growth rate, and poorly fed cod select lower temperatures to save metabolic energy. Depth and temperature of free-ranging adult cod (44–79 cm) were studied with data storage tags as part of a ranching project in an Icelandic fjord. Forage fish were regularly provided at four feeding stations where cod formed distinct “herds” (herd cod) that did not mingle much with the rest of the unconditioned cod in the fjord (wild cod). Several parameters (stomach fullness, liver index (fat reserves), condition factor, and growth rate) indicated that food intake was much greater in herd cod than in wild cod. In August, when the thermocline was well established, the herd cod remained in shallow (15–35 m) and warm water (8–10 °C), whereas the wild cod stayed in deep (80–90 m) and cold water (3–4 °C), but occasionally both groups explored depths and temperatures outside their preferred range. After vertical mixing in autumn when thermoregulation was not possible, the depth difference between the two groups decreased significantly.

Survival of Northern Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Eggs and Larvae when Exposed to Ice and Low Temperature

1992 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 2588-2595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul F. Valerio ◽  
Sally V. Goddard ◽  
Ming H. Kao ◽  
Garth L. Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Newfoundland And Labrador ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Ice Crystals ◽  
Freeze Resistance ◽  
Northern Cod ◽  
Northern Atlantic ◽  
Eggs And Larvae

Freeze resistance of eggs and larvae of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from the northern cod stock was investigated to determine whether ice contact could affect survival during the spring spawning season off Newfoundland. Egg and larval homogenates did not appear to contain antifreeze proteins (mean freezing points −0.78 and −0.88 °C, respectively). However, cod eggs did not freeze at −1.8 °C in icy aerated seawater, could be undercooled to −4.0 °C in ice, and froze at temperatures between −4.1 and −1 7 °C; freeze resistance depended on the integrity of the chorion. Larvae withstood undercooling to −1.8 °C, provided they were not brought into direct contact with ice crystals, if directly touched with ice, larvae froze at −1.36 °C (feeding stage) or −1.34 °C (yolk-sac), approximately 0.5 °C lower than would be expected from the freezing temperatures of their body fluids. The nature of their external epithelium and delayed development of sensitive gill structures below 0 °C may contribute to larval freeze resistance. Cod eggs and larvae are found in spring off Newfoundland and Labrador, when sea temperatures can be as low as −1.8 °C and ice cover extensive. While cod eggs are remarkably freeze resistant, such environmental conditions may cause freezing mortalities in larval cod.

Decreased lipid storage in juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) during settlement in cold-water eelgrass habitat

2008 ◽  
Vol 154 (5) ◽  
pp. 823-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Copeman ◽  
C. C. Parrish ◽  
R. S. Gregory ◽  
J. S. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Lipid Storage ◽  
Eelgrass Habitat

Interaction between temperature and photoperiod on growth and feeding of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua): possible secondary effects

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Kjartansson Imsland ◽  
Atle Foss ◽  
Thomas Alvseike ◽  
Arild Folkvord ◽  
Sigurd Olav Stefansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Physiological Mechanism ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Day Length ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Natural Photoperiod ◽  
Extended Day ◽  
Laboratory Trial

Interactions between temperature and photoperiod on growth of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) juveniles (initial weight 9.1 g) were studied by rearing juvenile cod 3 months under simulated natural photoperiod (LDN) and continuous light (LD24:0) at 7, 10, and 13 °C. Juvenile Atlantic cod exposed to LD24:0 had higher growth rate and better feed conversion efficiency compared with cod reared under LDN. Optimal temperature for growth of juvenile Atlantic cod in the size range 5–50 g was influenced by photoperiod and was estimated to be 12.3 °C under LD24:0 and 15.7 °C under LDN. After termination of the laboratory study, the fish were reared in sea pens at ambient conditions for 17 months. The growth-enhancing effect of LD24:0 could be traced far beyond the duration of the laboratory trial, as the final mean weights in June 2005 of the fish reared at LD24:0 and 13 and 10 °C in the laboratory trial were 8% and 13% higher than those of the respective LDN groups. Our study indicates a physiological mechanism that might be linked to cod migrations, as maximal growth and feeding efficiency will be attained in areas during a season with extended day length or continuous light.

Seasonal changes in the plasma levels of glycoprotein antifreeze, Na+, Cl−, and glucose in Newfoundland Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 1851-1854 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Fletcher ◽  
D. Slaughter ◽  
C. L. Hew
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Thermal Hysteresis ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Freezing Point ◽  
Freezing Point Depression ◽  
Antifreeze Glycoproteins ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Total Plasma Protein ◽  
Two Peaks

A seasonal study was carried out on the hematocrits, plasma freezing point depression, and thermal hysteresis, and plasma Na+, Cl−, total protein, and glucose concentrations in laboratory maintained Atlantic cod. Significant thermal hysteresis was evident in the plasma during the months of January to May indicating the presence of antifreeze glycoproteins. Plasma freezing point depression and Na+ and Cl− concentrations were highest during the winter months and lowest during the summer. Two peaks in glucose levels were evident; one in February and the other in July. No seasonal changes were evident in hematocrits and total plasma protein concentrations.

Antifreeze glycoproteins in the plasma of Newfoundland Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 2186-2192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Choy L. Hew ◽  
Don Slaughter ◽  
Garth L. Fletcher ◽  
Shashikant B. Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Antifreeze Proteins ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Polar Cod ◽  
Antifreeze Glycoproteins ◽  
Molecular Weights

The plasma of the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, contained antifreeze glycoproteins which were present only during the winter months. The antifreeze proteins were isolated, using gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography, and characterized by high performance liquid chromatography. The antifreeze proteins appeared to consist of at least seven components with molecular weights ranging from 2 500 to 33 000. Chemical analysis of the larger components showed a predominance of alanine, threonine, and galactosamine in a ratio of 2:1:1. The smaller peptides contained proline, in addition to alanine and threonine. The amino acid sequence of the smallest glycopeptide (molecular weight 2500) was found to be Ala Ala Thr Pro Ala Thr Ala Ala Thr Pro Ala Thr Ala Ala.These glycoproteins are very similar, if not identical, in amino acid and carbohydrate composition to those isolated from Antaractic nototheniids and several northern gadoids. The sequence of the smallest glycopeptide from the Atlantic cod is identical to that reported for the polar cod, Boreogadus saida.

Overwintering of Adult Northern Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) in Cold Inshore Waters as Evidenced by Plasma Antifreeze Glycoprotein Levels

1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 2834-2842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally V. Goddard ◽  
J. S. Wroblewski ◽  
C. T. Taggart ◽  
K. A. Howse ◽  
W. L. Bailey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Antifreeze Glycoproteins ◽  
Cold Temperatures ◽  
Antifreeze Glycoprotein ◽  
Trap Fishery ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
History Of ◽  
Inshore Waters ◽  
Trinity Bay

Adult Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) are known to produce antifreeze glycoproteins in response to cold temperatures. Our laboratory studies demonstrated that blood plasma levels in adult cod were positively correlated with the number of days they spent in subzero water. Between April 1991 and June 1993, we monitored concentrations of antifreeze glycoproteins in the plasma of late juvenile and adult cod in Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, and used the results to estimate how long cod had been exposed to low water temperatures. A consideration of these data in conjunction with detailed temperature profiles of the area taken over the course of the study allowed us to deduce the distribution of cod in relation to the temperature field. This study provides evidence that (1) blood antifreeze glycoprotein levels can be used to deduce the recent thermal history of cod in the wild and (2) after their inshore summer feeding period, considerable numbers of adult cod overwintered inshore in Trinity Bay in subzero water, producing antifreeze glycoproteins as temperatures fell below 0 °C. From May onwards, "cold-adapted" cod moved into warming surface waters, where they became available to an early inshore trap fishery.

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