Halastatic demineralization in the vertebrae of Atlantic salmon, during their spawning migration

Abstract

There was a significant decrease ( c . 10%) in the mineralization of the vertebrae, determined by analysis of quantitative microradiographs, of both sexes of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar during their ascending spawning migration. The decrease was hypothesized to be the result of halastatic demineralization, i.e. the removal of mineral substance with no degradation of the organic matrix of the bone.