Olfactory Bulbar Electrical Responses of Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) Exposed to Morpholine During Smoltification

Exposure of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) to 5.7 × 10−10 M (5 × 10−5 mg/L) morpholine during smoking period did not influence the subsequent neural response to this substance, when tested immediately and 12 mo after smoking. No significant difference in the morpholine-induced responses was obtained between the exposed and unexposed fish. Using N-ethylmaleimide, a sulfhydryl reagent, it was further confirmed that the morpholine-effect is caused by a mechanism not directly associated with the normal olfactory function. Perfusion of the olfactory organs with 1.0 × 10−1 and 1.1 × 10−1 M (1%) morpholine for 10 min irreversibly inhibited the olfactory responsiveness to odorants. Sensitization of the olfactory bulbar electrical response is discussed in connection with homing of morpholine-imprinted salmonid fishes. Key words: olfaction, olfactory bulbar response, rainbow trout, salmon, imprinting, morpholine, homing, migration