Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 May 2009
Cod (Gadus morhua L.) from the Arcto-Norwegian stock were caught during their gonadal maturation cycle, and plasma samples from individual fish obtained for the determination of total calcium and vitamin A aldehyde (retinal + dehydroretinal). The concentrations of these two substances in the plasma of female cod caught during January–March were significantly correlated r = 0·728, P < 0·001, and this result supports the hypothesis that the increases in concentrations of plasma calcium and vitamin A aldehyde during the period of ovarian maturation may be controlled by the same mechanism. In September, just prior to ovarian maturation, and in October, at the beginning of maturation, there was no correlation between the concentrations of the two substances.