Plasma levels of cortisol and glucose in response to capture and tank transference in <i>Rhamdia quelen</i> (Quoy &amp; Gaimard), a South American catfish

Abstract

Males and females of Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard) were subjected to capture and tank transference in order to evaluate the stress response. This process provoked a characteristic stress response in both sexes, with cortisol values reaching a peak in one hour after stress. High levels of cortisol found in females were explained by the increase of energy demand and the mobilization in the vitellogenic phase. Several previous studies have shown that cortisol is strongly correlated to these periods in another catfish.