RESPONSES OF POLYAMINE METABOLISM TO METAL TREATMENT (CO, CU, ZN, CD) IN THE LIVER OF THE GOLDFISH (CARASSIUS-AURATUS) - DISTINCT EFFECT OF SEASON AND TEMPERATURE

1. Cobalt, copper, zinc and cadmium injected into Carassius auratus in April (water temperature 16-degrees-C) increased liver ornithine decarboxylase and adrenosylmethionine decarboxylase and not tyrosine aminotransferase activities independently of their accumulation within the liver. 2. As previously shown, cadmium stimulated ornithine decarboxylase in November (16-degrees-C), but was ineffective in July (23-degrees-C). 3. Acclimation of fish at 23-degrees-C in April and November caused the metal to become ineffective, but acclimation at 15-degrees-C in July failed to restore the response to cadmium. 4. In February no significant changes occurred either at 14-degrees-C or at 23-degrees-C with any of the metals. 5. Putrescine and polyamine concentrations essentially followed the response of ornithine decarboxylase activity.