Metabolic effects of dehydroabietic acid on rainbow trout erythrocytes

Oxygen consumption and ATP concentration were measured in rainbow trout erythrocytes incubated in a physiological saline containing 0, 5, 15, 30 or 60 mg/l dehydroabietic acid. DHAA caused a decrease in cellular ATP level and oxygen consumption at concentrations above 15 mg/l. Haemolysis increased markedly, when the cellular ATP concentration decreased below 1 mM. These data suggest that increased breakdown of red cells may be the primary reason for jaundice which is observed in resin acid-toxicated fish.