Na(+)-K(+) pump and metabolic activities of trout erythrocytes during anoxia

Metabolic activity in the red blood cells of brown trout was monitored under conditions of oxygen depletion and chemically induced anoxia. Although metabolic activity was reduced during anoxia to one-third of the normoxic value, these cells maintained their ATP contents stable and were viable for hours in the absence of oxygen. In addition, Na(+)-K(+) pump activity was not down-regulated when metabolic activity was reduced during anoxia. The compatibility of this finding with energy equilibrium and ion homeostasis was investigated.