W. Zukow

Features of nitrogen metabolism in fishes

Presence in water is easily metabolized nitrogen-containing substances is a vital condition for the existence of food organisms in ponds used for fish reproduction. At the same time, the end products of nitrogen metabolism—ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are always displayed the body of fish into the environment, adding to the total number of these compounds dissolved in water. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate anions are formed during biological processes, as well as man-made origin, have toxic properties and are considered as environmental factors that may limit fish productivity of reservoirs. The results of a brief review of the literature showed that the features of nitrogen metabolism in fish are actual direction of research, both theoretical science and in practical fish farming. Published the results of studies of amino acid metabolism in fish suggest that, firstly, the processes responsible for the neutralization and the release of ammonia from the body of fish, as well as ontogenetic aspects of the dynamics of formation and emission of ammonia is not fully understood. Meanwhile, several authors stressed the importance of this area of interest for the formation of science-based ways to improve the efficiency of plant breeding in fish culture. Secondly, endogenous nitrite, being the product of oxidation of the molecule nitric oxide and its transport form, the norm are always present in fish. However, the mechanisms responsible for maintaining the stability of the concentration of nitrite in the internal environment of fish, not well understood. Also, in our opinion, of interest to determine the physiological rules of nitrites and nitrates in the body of various species, depending on the seasons and stages of ontogeny. Thirdly, the literature pays much attention to the toxic properties of nitrite in water biocenosis. Certainly, the analysis of the manifestation in fish tissue-specific toxic effects of nitrites and their derivatives—an important area of research. Nevertheless, we can not exclude that it may be quite promising analysis of the incorporation of exogenous nitrite as a substrate exist in fish of the physiological mechanisms re-synthesis of nitric oxide. This kind of “interference” of endogenous and exogenous nitrite-anions are not causing serious structural damage to organs and tissues, however, can cause substantial damage to the practical fish farming, causing changes in the level of regulatory mechanisms of fish at the most critical stages: when working with manufacturers, the incubation of eggs, and larvae rearing and wintering fish.

Role of nitrates in the adaptation of fish to hypoxic conditions

The paper reviews scientific and practical aspects of research on the metabolism of nitrates into nitrate (nitrite) reductase in the nitric oxide cycle in fish under hypoxic conditions. Literature data are given about enzymes involved in nitrate reductase reactions and how oxygen shortage affects their activity. The environmental factors that may participate in the processes of nitrate reduction to nitrites as well as the ones which may influence the kinetics of nitrate in fishes are considered. Examined results indicate that certain components of the conservative L-arginine-dependent nitric oxide cycle pass in a number of vertebrate animals. Then, the contour cycle of nitric oxide in the fish shows a wide range of diversity which is represented by phylogenetically ancient biochemical mechanisms of nitrite (nitrate) reductase. First of all, the presence or absence of hemoglobin is distinguished. Secondly, a wider range of expression of different myoglobin isoforms appears. Furthermore, the kinetics of nitrates in fish is distinctly dependent on abiotic environmental factors. The analysis of the literature confirms the thesis that nitrates are an important substrate for the nitrate (nitrite) reductase loop cycle of nitric oxide in fishes. Secondly, their role in the compensation of arginineindependent NO synthesis increases with decreasing oxygen levels in the environment. Thirdly, the provided research results are a basis for indicating xanthine oxidase and possibly the microflora of the digestive system as the basic units of the nitrate reductase system in the body of fish. The practical aspect of the question, in our opinion, is the most meaningful presence of numerous studies that emphasize the need to find physiological reactions that precede the formation of pathological changes induced by the influence of combined effects of nitrates and hypoxia on the organism of fish.