Environmentally-related changes in red cell levels of ionic modulators of hemoglobin-O2 affinity in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri.

Hemoglobin content, plasma and red cell levels of chloride and magnesium and molar ion:hemoglobin ratios were examined in trout acclimatized to eight combinations of two treatment levels of temperature (5, 20 degrees C), O2 availability (less than or equal to 30%, greater than or equal to 75% saturation) and photoperiod (16L:8D, 8L:16D). Increases in hemoglobin content were associated with exposure to higher temperature, abbreviated daylength and hypoxia, with hypoxia greater than photoperiod greater than temperature. Under nominal "summer" conditions (20 degrees C, hypoxia, 16L:8D) photoperiodic influence was apparently masked by hypoxic and thermal effects. Temperature was the principal determinant of plasma and cellular chloride levels as well as [Cl:Hb]. O2 availability and photoperiod had little effect. Temperature was also the primary factor influencing magnesium, with hypoxia exerting a lesser influence. Photoperiod effects were negligible. With increased temperature and reduced O2 availability, plasma magnesium increased white cell magnesium levels and [Mg:Hb] declined. These observations suggest that with normal seasonal changes in environmental conditions, temperature-induced increases in the O2 requirements of summer trout are probably accompanied by increases in blood O2-carrying capacity and reductions in hemoglobin-O2 affinity with consequent increases in O2 delivery to tissues.