Mineral Metabolism During the Ontogenesis of Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) eggs were collected from three females, fertilized by the milt of two males per female, and incubated separately. Samples were taken before fertilization, at +0.5 h and on days 1, 1.5, 3, 4, 5, 13, 17, 21, at hatching (23 days), and on day 37, immediately after postyolk absorption. The water environment contributed an estimated minimum 26% of the Na, 30% of the Fe, and 13% of the Zn found at hatching. Derivation of Ca, Na, K, Fe, and Zn from the water environment at postyolk absorption was estimated to be at least 70, 76, 45, 68, and 2%, respectively. All the P and Cu at hatching and in the larva could have been derived from the unfertilized oocyte.