The in vitro blood-O(2) affinity of triploid rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss at different temperatures and CO(2) tensions.

Blood-O(2) affinity, Hill number and predicted arterial-O(2) saturation did not differ between diploid (2N) and triploid (3N) rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss blood when compared under various temperature and CO(2) partial pressure combinations. These results suggest that reduced hypoxia and warm-water tolerance and aerobic capacity of 3N fishes are not due to altered blood-O(2) affinity. Further investigation into O(2) transport-diffusion capacity and intracellular pH within 3N fishes may further unravel the mechanisms behind reduced 3N tolerance of suboptimal environments.