Effect of temperature on muscle lactate metabolic recovery in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.) juveniles exposed to exhaustive exercise.

Muscle lactate metabolic recovery in sea bass juveniles was studied in respect to the water temperature. The fish used in this study were cultured with the semi-extensive mesocosm method, and the water temperatures were 15 and 20 degrees C. Fish were led to exhaustion by exercising in a swimming channel, and the muscle lactate levels were measured seven times before and after exercise. The results showed that muscle lactate concentration rises during exercise until it reaches a maximum (exhaustion point), and then it keeps falling during the recovery time. Also, fish exercised at 20 degrees C exhibited higher lactate values at the exhaustion point and faster decomposition rates during recovery.