Acute Cold Exposure Triggers Dynamic Metabolic Alteration in Certain Peripheral Tissues of Fresh Water Fishes (Channa punctata)

To characterize the sensitivity of environmental low temperature on peripheral tissues of Channa punctatus, species of fishes which are energetic and survive in the critical environment, were exposed to cold (4~80C) for 30 min, 1 h, 2 h and 4 h. Among the peripheral tissues, liver, heart, skeletal muscle and gastro intestinal tract (GIT) of fishes were examined after given cold acclimation. Total protein contents in liver were not significantly changed after 30 min, 1 h, 2 h and 4 h of cold exposure while a gradual increase in protein content in GIT was observed up to 4 h. Cold acclimation did not produce any significant effect in heart up to 2 h, however, an impaired protein synthesis was observed after 4 h of the treatment. A bi-phasial change in protein level in skeletal muscle was noted when compared to the control fishes. The results appear to indicate that low temperature induces a metabolic change involving cellular protein content tissue specifically and preferentially in skeletal muscle and GIT without alteration in liver and heart. The increased protein in these tissues might be involved in the survival process during cold environment.