Intestinal base excretion in the seawater-adapted rainbow trout: a role in acid-base balance?

1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (10) ◽  
pp. 2331-2343 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Wilson ◽  
K Gilmour ◽  
R Henry ◽  
C Wood

A potential role for the intestine of seawater-adapted teleosts in acid­base regulation was investigated following earlier reports of highly alkaline rectal fluids in the gulf toadfish Opsanus beta. Rectal samples taken from starved seawater-adapted rainbow trout had a high fluid pH (8.90±0.03; mean ± s.e.m., N=13) and base (HCO3-+2CO32-) content of 157±26 mequiv kg-1 (N=11). In trout fitted with rectal catheters, rectal fluid was voided at a rate of 0.47±0.11 ml kg-1 h-1 (N=8), giving a net base excretion rate of 114±15 µequiv kg-1 h-1 (N=7). Drinking rates averaged 3.12±0.48 ml kg-1 h-1 (N=8), and accounted for only 6 % of the base excreted via the intestine, indicating substantial net transport of endogenously derived base into the intestine. Rectally excreted base was approximately balanced by an equivalent efflux of net acid from non-rectal sources (possibly as NH4+ excretion via the gills). Samples taken from four sites along the intestine revealed that the most anterior region (the pyloric intestine) was responsible for the majority of HCO3-+2CO32- accumulation. The pyloric intestine was subsequently perfused in situ to investigate possible mechanisms of base secretion. Net base fluxes were found to be dependent on luminal Cl-, 76 % stimulated by amiloride, 20 % inhibited by 10(-4) mol l-1 acetazolamide, but unaffected by either 10(-4) mol l-1 SITS or 2x10(-5) mol l-1 DIDS. This suggests that the mechanism of base secretion within the pyloric intestine may involve a Cl-/HCO3--ATPase. It is speculated that intestinal base secretion may play a role in facilitating osmoregulation of seawater-adapted teleosts.

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (8) ◽  
pp. 2065-2073 ◽  
Author(s):  
George K. Iwama ◽  
James C. McGeer ◽  
Mark P. Pawluk

Some physiological aspects of five fish anaesthetics in rainbow trout were investigated. The effects of benzocaine, 2-phenoxyethanol, MS-222 (Sandoz), metomidate, and carbon dioxide gas (CO2) on acid–base regulation, hematocrit, blood gases, and cortisol and adrenaline concentrations were determined in resting rainbow trout fitted with chronic catheters in the dorsal aorta. A severe hypoxia developed with the cessation of breathing in deep anaesthesia. This was accompanied by a rise in blood [Formula: see text] and adrenaline concentration, and a fall in blood pH. Blood bicarbonate concentrations remained unchanged and cortisol concentrations declined with time. There was a transient increase in hematocrit coinciding with the increase in adrenaline concentrations.


1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 2699-2708 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. McDonald ◽  
E. T. Prior

Blood acid–base balance and branchial fluxes of Na+, Cl−, and acidic equivalents were examined in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) in response to variations in external [NaCl] and following experimental acid or base loads (intravascular infusion of ammonium sulphate, lactic acid, or sodium bicarbonate). NaCl influx, NaCl efflux, and ammonia excretion covaried with external [NaCl]. Large fluxes of acidic equivalents across the gills were produced by infusion of both ammonium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate, but both treatments had little effect upon Na+ and Cl− uptake. We interpret this result as indicating that apical [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] exchange played little role in the branchial clearance of acidic equivalents. Instead, the results are consistent with the notion that acidic equivalents were excreted via diffusion through paracellular channels. A model is presented which suggests that the paracellular channels are the normal route for ionic efflux across the gills and that excretion of acidic equivalents results from modulation of the permselectivity of this pathway.


1977 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. B. Eddy ◽  
J. P. Lomholt ◽  
R. E. Weber ◽  
K. Johansen

1. Blood O2 transport and acid-base balance were studied at 20 degrees C in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) which had been kept in water of high CO2 content (15 mmHg) for at least a week. Also the blood gas chemistry of fish rapidly entering or leaving the hypercapnic environment was studied. 2. Fish entering high CO2 water suffered a sharp decrease in blood pH which significantly reduced O2 transport by the blood, but after a few hours considerable compensation was achieved. 3. After at least a week in high CO2 water, trout showed elevated plasma bicarbonate and PCO2 levels, and a decrease in plasma chloride, while pH was about 0 - 1 pH unit below the level for control fish. Oxygen transport by the blood was marginally reduced. 4. Hypercapnic fish rapidly entering fresh water showed a sharp increase in blood pH and a decrease in blood PO2. These parameters regained normal values after a few hours but plasma bicarbonate and chloride levels took much longer to regain control concentrations. 5. Acid-base balance in hypercapnic fish is discussed with particular reference to the role of the branchial ion exchanges.


1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1123-1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Booth ◽  
G. F. Jansz ◽  
G. F. Holeton

A review of pertinent literature is provided. Previous research showed that fish exposed to sublethal environmental acidification have reduced blood pH, plasma [HCO3−], and [Cl−] and increased plasma [K+]. Simultaneous sampling from blood and water was used to characterize changes in Cl−, K+, and acid–base regulation in rainbow trout during a 5-day exposure to pH 4 followed by a 24-h recovery period at pH 7. At pH 4, there was a continuous loss of Cl− (49.8 μmol/kg per hour), and K+ (23.0 μmol/kg per hour) to the water. Blood ion concentrations did not change in a corresponding manner. Blood pH and plasma [HCO3−] decreased continuously owing to a net uptake of acid from the water. Recovery at pH 7 involved uptake of Cl− from, and loss of K+ to, the water. Plasma [K+] returned to normal but there was no significant change in plasma [Cl−] during this 24-h period. Internal acid–base parameters recovered much more quickly owing to a net excretion of acid into the water. The more rapid recovery of acid–base balance suggests that branchial acid–base and ionoregulatory mechanisms may be only loosely linked. The irregular changes in blood ion concentrations indicate that considerable ionic and osmotic exchanges between the plasma, the remainder of the extracellular space, and the intracellular space must result from exposure to pH 4.


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