Cricket Malpighian tubules have two morphologically distinct segments, a thin distal segment, which occupies approximately 10 % of the total tubule length, and a main segment. The two segments differ in secretion rates and response to corpora cardiaca extract. The secreted fluids differ in osmotic concentration and elemental composition. The distal segment secretes fluid at a rate (per mm length) which is approximately twice that of the main segment under control conditions. After stimulation by corpora cardiaca extract (Cc) the rate from the main segment approximately doubles whilst the distal segment rate remains unchanged. Fluid from the main segment and the whole tubule is slightly hypo-osmotic to the medium (5–11 mosmol kg-1) under control conditions, whereas that from the distal segment is slightly hyperosmotic (12 mosmol kg-1). On stimulation with Cc, the whole tubule fluid becomes slightly hyperosmotic (12 mosmol kg-1), that from the main segment remains slightly hypo-osmotic (3 mosmol kg-1) but fluid from the distal segment becomes very hyperosmotic (55 mosmol kg-1). Differences between the tubule fluid and the medium osmolality are indicated in parentheses. Fluid from the main segment has high concentrations of K (166 mmol l-1), Cl (111 mmol l-1), Na (41 mmol l-1) and P (83 mmol l-1), whereas that from the distal segment has high concentrations of K (101 mmol l-1) and Cl (137 mmol l-1). On stimulation with Cc, the elemental concentrations in fluids from the main segments and whole tubules do not change significantly but the K and Cl concentrations in distal segment fluid increase (182 and 188 mmol l-1 respectively). The Mg present in whole tubule fluid is derived largely from the distal segment. The ionic composition accounts for the observed osmotic concentrations in fluid from whole tubules, main segments and stimulated distal segments, but not for the concentrations in fluid from unstimulated distal segments. The fluid from unstimulated distal segments contains an unidentified organic solute accounting for approximately 90 mosmol kg-1 of the osmotic concentration. The distal segment contributes 22 % and 11 % of the fluid volume, 26 % Cl, 14 % K and 12 % Cl, 11 % K in control and Cc-stimulated tubules respectively. Considerably higher values are observed in individual tubules. The distal segment makes a significant contribution to the total ion output of the tubule. The cyclic AMP content of tubule segments treated with corpora cardiaca extract was found to increase in both main and distal segments. When expressed in terms of protein content there was no difference between segments. However, in terms of total cell volume, the cells of the distal segment had a tenfold greater cyclic AMP content than those of the main segment. This is consistent with a 10- to 20-fold higher secretion rate of K by the distal segment. It is suggested that the distal segment, whilst having a higher length-specific fluid secretion rate than the main segment, is, nevertheless, concerned primarily with ion and solute secretion since it is unresponsive to diuretic hormone. The prime role of the main segment, which does respond to diuretic hormone, is fluid secretion. There appear to be major differences in hydraulic conductivity between the two segments.
5-Hydroxytryptamine: a second diuretic hormone in Rhodnius prolixus