Biochemical Studies on Sockeye Salmon During Spawning Migration: VI. Ribonucleic Acid and Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Abstract

The quantity of ribonucleic acid phosphorus (RNA-P) and deoxyribonucleic acid phosphorus (DNA-P) in various tissues of the sockeye salmon has been determined at three points in its spawning migration. During migration a net decrease in RNA-P and a net increase in DNA-P occurred in the whole fish of both sexes. Major losses in RNA-P occurred in the flesh, alimentary tract and milt, while major gains in DNA-P occurred in the milt and roe. In the combined head, skin, bones and tail large gains in both RNA-P and DNA-P took place.