Phosphoadenylate concentrations and adenylate energy charge of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): relationship with condition factor and blood cortisol.

1. Concentrations of phosphoadenylate nucleotides and adenylate energy charge in the dorsal muscle and blood of largemouth bass from a reservoir receiving heated effluent were investigated. These values were compared with the length, weight, body condition and blood cortisol concentrations. 2. Body condition of the largemouth bass ranged from 1043 to 2544, reflecting the range of condition due to starvation of some fish in the population. 3. Blood cortisol concentrations ranged from 4.0 to 23.1 micrograms/100 ml with a mean of 6.3 micrograms/100 ml. 4. The adenylate energy charge of muscle (MATP) and blood ranged from 0.37 to 0.98 and 0.74 to 0.99, respectively. 5. Blood cortisol concentration was positively correlated with body condition but not correlated with the adenylate energy charge of either blood or muscle. 6. Blood cortisol concentration was negatively correlated with concentration of adenylates in both muscle and blood.