Effects of ammonia on liver lysosomal functionality in Salmo gairdneri Rich.

Salmo gairdneri specimens were exposed for 4-48 hours to three different concentrations of un-ionized ammonia (UIA). An increase in lysosomal sensitivity to osmotic shock and in total proteolytic activity occurs in the liver. The amount of this increase depends upon the exposure time or upon environmental and tissue ammonia levels. On the other hand ammonia does not affect lysosome hydrolases activity in vitro.