Biochemical compartmentation of fish tissues. I. Brain energy reserves and its metabolic products

The quantitative distribution of glycogen, lactate and pyruvate in the brain was studied in 4 regions of 9 fishes. The highest glycogen, lactate and pyruvate content was present in major carps followed by cat fishes and snake headed fishes. Glycogen and lactate contents were highest in the medulla oblongata while the highest pyruvate level was observed in the cerebellum. The observed differential distribution of glycogen, lactate and pyruvate in the different regions of the brain is discussed in relation to their functional differention and may depend on the nature of the diet, on the environment and growth rate, etc., of the fishes.