A method is described for the isolation of calcium-tolerant myocytes from adult rainbow trout. Isolated myocytes remain viable for at least 4 h in suspension as indicated by (1) maintenance of ATP, phosphocreatine (PCr) and glycogen levels; (2) maintenance of the integrity of cell membranes, shown by low rates of leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to the medium and exclusion of Trypan Blue; (3) the ability to metabolize substrates; and (4) sensitivity to adrenergic agonists. CO2 production from both glucose and lactate was sensitive to adrenergic stimulation, with the following order of potency: isoproterenol greater than noradrenaline much greater than adrenaline greater than phenylephrine, which indicates the presence of beta 1-adrenoceptors. Myocytes isolated from trout acclimated to 20 degrees C in the summer were more sensitive to beta-adrenergic stimulation than myocytes isolated from trout acclimated to 9 degrees C in either summer or winter. In the absence of exogenous fuel, there was a net reduction in myocyte glycogen content and glycogenolysis was further stimulated by 10(−7) mmol l-1 noradrenaline. However, in the presence of exogenous fuel (either 5 mmol l-1 lactate or 5 mmol l-1 glucose), glycogen was ‘spared’ and noradrenaline-stimulated glycogenolysis was apparently inhibited.
2023 JEB Outstanding Paper Prize shortlist and winner
The JEB Editors are delighted to announce the shortlisted authors for the 2023 JEB Outstanding Paper Prize. Read the winning paper - Tiny spies: mosquito antennae are sensitive sensors for eavesdropping on frog calls - by Hoover Pantoja-Sanchez and Brian Leavell from Ximena Bernal's lab at Purdue University, USA.
JEB Science Communication Workshop for ECRs
If you’re an early-career researcher interested in science communication and are attending the SEB Annual Conference in Prague this summer, come a day early and join the JEB Editors at a sci comm workshop to learn the key writing skills needed to promote your research to a broad audience beyond your peers (1 July at 14.30-17.30). Places are limited to 24 attendees, and applicants should apply through the SEB registration page by 30 April 2024.
Bridging the gap between controlled conditions and natural habitats in understanding behaviour
Novel technologies enable behavioural experiments with non-model species, in naturalistic habitats and with underexplored behaviours. In their Commentary, Scholz and colleagues discuss how to obtain a deeper understanding of the natural ecology and lifestyle of study animals.
Beluga metabolic measures could help save species
To help save animals from extinction, it’s important to understand what each species needs to survive. This led Jason John et al. to measure the metabolic rates of captive belugas to develop a ‘fish calculator’ showing that the whales need to eat ~23 salmon per day.
ECR Workshop on Positive Peer Review
Are you an ECR looking for tips on how to write concise, astute and useful manuscript reviews? If so, join the JEB Editors at a 2-hour JEB-sponsored Workshop on Positive Peer Review at the Canadian Society of Zoologists annual meeting in Moncton on 9 May 2024 at 13.00-15.00. There are 25 spaces for ECRs and selection is first come, first serve. To sign up, check the ECR Workshop box when you register for the CSZ meeting.
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