Are changes in enzyme activities of fish muscle during cold acclimation significant?

An equation similar to the one used to obtain Q(10) values can be used to estimate the significance of an increase in the activity of aerobic enzymes in cold-acclimated fish. The phenomenon of increased activity of mitochondrial enzymes in cold-acclimated fish is surveyed using data from published studies, and whether or not this increase can counteract the limiting effects of low temperatures on the rate of reactions implicated in oxidative phosphorylation is investigated. It is concluded that the significance of an increase in enzyme content can vary with species. In some studies, data indicate an almost perfect compensation, while in other cases an imperfect compensation is found in the rate of chemical reactions after cold acclimation It is suggested that the range of temperature difference between the cold- and warm-acclimated fish does not always influence the magnitude of the response exhibited in cold-acclimated fish.