Annual cycle of plasma insulin and glucose of sea bass.Dicentrarchus labrax, L.

Annual plasma insulin and glucose cycles were studied inDicentrarchus labrax maintained in either seawater (37.8‰) or brackish water (3.5‰). In both media, the highest insulin levels were found during the prespawning period (August-November) coincident to increases in weight and a decrease in plasma glucose. During spawning (December-April) and postspawning (May-July) periods, the decrease in insulin occurred at the same time as a reduction in growth and an increase of plasma glucose. Temperature and salinity conditions impeded spawning in the brackish water group, in which a minor weight loss was regained more quickly than in the sea water group; insulin levels were also higher.