Acute stress response of Kootenai River white sturgeon <i>Acipenser transmontanus</i> Richardson reflected in peritoneal fluid and blood plasma

Abstract

To evaluate whether stress‐response indicators in blood plasma (BP) are similarly reflected in the peritoneal fluid (PF) white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus were stressed by a 30 min air exposure and pH, PCO 2 , osmolality, cortisol, glucose and lactate levels measured. Changes in certain stress indicators in the BP (pH, PCO 2 , osmolality and glucose) also occurred in the PF, while stressor‐induced changes in cortisol and lactate were restricted to the BP. Data suggest that PF is a modified ultrafiltrate of the blood and potentially a useful indicator of animal stress.