Long-term cadmium stress in the cunner, Tautogolabrus adspersus

Abstract

The cunner, Tautogolabrus adspersus, was exposed for 30 and 60 days to 0.05 or 0.10 ppm Cd as cadmium chloride. The mean gill-tissue respiratory rates exhibited by the control fish and those exposed to 0.05 and 0.10 ppm Cd were 972, 736, and 665 ILl 02/h· g dry weight, respectively, after 30 days and 1,036, 702, and 587 ILl 02/h· g, respectively, after 60 days. Changes were also observed in the activities of two liver enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (depression) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (induction). Results are compared with those from other metal-exposure studies with cunners and other teleosts.