Steelhead migration: potential temperature effects as indicated by gill adenosine triphosphatase activities.

Yearling steelhead trout held in fresh water at cold temperatures (6.5 degrees or 10 degrees C) showed an increase in gill microsomal Na(+), K(+)-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase activity during parr-smolt transformation, whereas trout held in warm water (15 degrees or 20 degrees C) did not. Adenosine triphosphatase activity increased and other indications of transformation were observed in fish transferred from warm to cold water, whereas the reverse occurred on transfer from cold to warm water.