ABSTRACT
1. Kinetics of potassium transport across trout gills was studied, using an isolated-head preparation. 2. Potassium exchanges were shown to take place across secondary lamellae only. 3. Influx of potassium was saturable and fitted satisfactorily the lineweaver-Burk linear plot. 4. Results suggest that these exchanges occur through potassium channel. 5. Kinetics of potassium exchanges is discussed in relation to the maintenance of the osmoregulation in fish.
Subject(s)
Gills/metabolism , Potassium/metabolism , Trout/metabolism , Animals , Biological Transport , Kinetics , Potassium Channels/metabolism , Water-Electrolyte BalanceABSTRACT
Using the isolated-perfused head preparation at a constant flow rate, hemodynamic effects of adrenaline were studied in trout gills. The calculation of the vascular spaces was performed with the isotopic pulse technique allowing measurement of the distribution space of the tracer. The results show that the branchial arterial circuit was cleared more quickly than the branchial venous and cephalic circuits. Adrenaline addition significantly increased the volume of the branchial arterial circuit at the expense of the venous circuit, illustrating the closing of arterio-venous sphincters under catecholamine control. The increase of the arterial volume could be explained by a vasodilation of the arterial circuit, rather than resulting from lamellar recruitment. Furthermore, the flow rate of the cephalic circuit represented 5% of the total branchial flow rate.
Subject(s)
Epinephrine/pharmacology , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Trout/physiology , Animals , Blood Circulation/drug effects , Blood Circulation/physiology , Hemodynamics/physiology , In Vitro Techniques , Kinetics , Perfusion , Serum Albumin/pharmacokineticsABSTRACT
Sodium exchanges through the gill epithelia were estimated in the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, using the perfused head technique. The head tissues accumulate radioactivity. In addition there exists an extrabranchial entry of sodium, which is 20 times smaller than the branchial one. The study of the evolution of venous and arterial sodium specific activities as a function of time is necessary before flux measurements are achieved. Contrary to previous studies, an uptake at the primary lamella level is demonstrated. Uptake of sodium through the secondary lamellae can be measured rapidly while at least 30 min are needed for measurement of uptake through the primary lamellae. Chloride cells of the primary lamellae contribute to about 20% of the total sodium uptake.