Brain Monoamine Concentrations as Predictors of Growth Inhibition in Channel Catfish Exposed to Ammonia.

Fingerlings of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus exhibited a significant exposure-dependent decrease in growth (measured by weight gain and increase in total length) and condition factor after 9 weeks of exposure to environmental ammonia. Concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine in the brain decreased significantly whereas the ratio of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) to 5-HT increased significantly in exposure-dependent manners. The brain dopamine concentrations and the 5-HIAA : 5-HT ratio collectively explained 88% of the variation in growth due to ammonia exposure. This study demonstrates the potential to predict ammonia-induced inhibition of growth in channel catfish with physiological changes.