Plasma Cortisol Concentrations Before and After Social Stress in Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout

Two related experiments examined the relationship between plasma cortisol concentrations and the development of social hierarchies in fish. In the first, rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss, and brown trout,Salmo trutta, were observed for dominance interactions when confined within single‐species pair...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physiological and biochemical zoology 2001-05, Vol.74 (3), p.383-389
Main Authors: Sloman, Katherine A., Metcalfe, Neil B., Taylor, Alan C., Gilmour, Kathleen M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ammonia - analysis
Animals
Aquarium fishes
Blood plasma
Fish
Fishing lines
Hydrocortisone - blood
Oncorhynchus mykiss - physiology
Photoperiod
Principal components analysis
Regression Analysis
Social Behavior
Social classes
Social interaction
Species Specificity
Stress, Psychological
Tap water
Trout
Trout - physiology
Water tanks
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Summary:Two related experiments examined the relationship between plasma cortisol concentrations and the development of social hierarchies in fish. In the first, rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss, and brown trout,Salmo trutta, were observed for dominance interactions when confined within single‐species pairs for 4, 48, or 168 h. Subordinate members of a pair exhibited significantly higher cortisol concentrations than dominant and single fish, but the pattern of cortisol elevation differed between the two species, being quicker to rise and increasing to a higher level in rainbow trout. Cortisol concentrations were correlated with behavioural measurements; the more subordinate the behaviour exhibited by a fish, the higher its cortisol concentration. Social stress was a chronic stressor, and no acclimation to social status occurred during the week. In the second experiment, measurements of plasma cortisol were made before pairing of rainbow trout and then after 48 h of confinement in pairs. Subordinate fish demonstrated significantly higher concentrations of plasma cortisol both before and after social stress. It therefore appears that in addition to cortisol being elevated during periods of social stress, an association may exist between initial cortisol levels and the likelihood of a fish becoming subordinate.
ISSN:1522-2152
1537-5293
DOI:10.1086/320426