Organ distribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson)

1. Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity was measured in gills, muscle, brain, intestine, kidney, heart and liver of rainbow trout, using 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (the biogenic aldehyde derived from dopamine) as the substrate. 2. Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity was found to be present in all of the organs studied. 3. The highest activity was found in the liver (276 nmol/min.g wet wt of tissue). 4. A remarkably high activity was found in the heart (117 nmol/min.g). 5. The gills showed the lowest activity (1.9 nmol/min.g).