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Davison WG, Cooper CA, Sloman KA, Wilson RW. A method for measuring meaningful physiological variables in fish blood without surgical cannulation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:899. [PMID: 36650204 PMCID: PMC9845352 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28061-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Gaining meaningful blood samples from water-breathing fish is a significant challenge. Two main methods typically used are grab 'n' stab and surgical cannulation. Both methods have benefits, but also significant limitations under various scenarios. Here we present a method of blood sampling laboratory fish involving gradual induction of anaesthesia within their home tank, avoiding physical struggling associated with capture, followed by rapid transfer to a gill irrigation system to maintain artificial ventilation via adequate gill water flow and then followed by sampling the caudal vasculature. This method negates many blood chemistry disturbances associated with grab 'n' stab (i.e., low pH and oxygen, elevated lactate, CO2 and stress hormones) and generates results that are directly comparable to cannulated fish under a wide range of experimentally-induced acid-base scenarios (acidosis and alkalosis). Crucially this method was successful in achieving accurate acid-base blood measurements from fish ten times smaller than are typically suitable for cannulation. This opens opportunities not previously possible for studies that relate to basic physiology, sustainable aquaculture, ecotoxicology, conservation, and climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- William George Davison
- Biosciences Department, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
| | - Christopher A Cooper
- International Zinc Association, Avenue de Tervueren 168, 1150, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Katherine A Sloman
- Institute for Biomedical and Environmental Health Research, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK
| | - Rod W Wilson
- Biosciences Department, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
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Seo SY, Park YH, Jung SK, Kim J. Acute Toxicity Evaluation of the Disinfectant Containing Percarbonate and Tetraacetylethylenediamine by Measuring Behavioral Responses of Small Fish Using Image Analysis. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2022; 27:687-696. [PMID: 35730032 PMCID: PMC9188641 DOI: 10.1007/s12257-021-0419-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Disinfectants containing percarbonate and tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) has been developed as an effective and relatively safe disinfectant to destroy viruses and bacteria in animals and humans, however it is known that most disinfectants can cause danger to living organisms including humans. In the current study, acute toxicity of the disinfectant composed of percarbonate and TAED was assessed by measuring behavioral responses as well as lethal concentrations of aquatic organisms such as medaka and zebrafish when they were exposed to it. First, the breeding water properties were determined by measuring dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH changes over time up to 96 h in acute toxicity tests using the medaka, and the lethal concentration 50% (LC50, 88.39 ppm) was calculated using the lethality rate of the fish. This experiment was conducted in compliance with traditional OECD guidelines. Second, the assessment of behavioral responses (locomotive activity and swimming speed) with the zebrafish were assessed by the image analysis to capture the images per second for three hours, and the collected data were processed using image analysis to calculate the locomotive activity and swimming speed. Finally, the LC50 (135.76 ppm) of the disinfectant to the fish was also measured after three hours. Overall, the data revealed that LC50 of the disinfectant may be affected by the pH of the water exposed to the disinfectant, not by the DO in the water. In addition, the results from the image analysis indicated that the behavioral responses of the fish can further assess the acute toxicity of the disinfectant at concentrations below the LC50 and there was a relationship (R2 = 0.85) between the behavioral responses and the survival rate of the fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Yoon Seo
- Department of Biological & Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Sejong, 30016 Korea
| | - Yeon-Ho Park
- Department of Biological & Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Sejong, 30016 Korea
| | - Sang-Kyu Jung
- Department of Biological & Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Sejong, 30016 Korea
| | - Jinku Kim
- Department of Biological & Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Sejong, 30016 Korea
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3
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Zimmer AM, Perry SF. The Rhesus glycoprotein Rhcgb is expendable for ammonia excretion and Na + uptake in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2020; 247:110722. [PMID: 32437959 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.110722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In zebrafish (Danio rerio), the ammonia-transporting Rhesus glycoprotein Rhcgb is implicated in mechanisms of ammonia excretion and Na+ uptake. In particular, Rhcgb is thought to play an important role in maintaining ammonia excretion in response to alkaline conditions and high external ammonia (HEA) exposure, in addition to facilitating Na+ uptake via a functional metabolon with the Na+/H+-exchanger Nhe3b, specifically under low Na+ conditions. In the present study, we hypothesized that CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of rhcgb would reduce ammonia excretion and Na+ uptake capacity, particularly under the conditions listed above that have elicited increases in Rhcgb-mediated ammonia excretion and/or Na+ uptake. Contrary to this hypothesis, however, larval and juvenile rhcgb knockout (KO) mutants showed no reductions in ammonia excretion or Na+ uptake under any of the conditions tested in our study. In fact, under control conditions, rhcgb KO mutants generally displayed an increase in ammonia excretion, potentially due to increased transcript abundance of another rh gene, rhbg. Under alkaline conditions, rhcgb KO mutants were also able to maintain ammonia excretion, similar to wild-type fish, and stimulation of ammonia excretion after HEA exposure also was not affected by rhcgb KO. Surprisingly, ammonia excretion and Na+ uptake were unaffected by rhcgb or nhe3b KO in juvenile zebrafish acclimated to normal (800 μmol/L) or low (10 μmol/L) Na+ conditions. These results demonstrate that Rhcgb is expendable for ammonia excretion and Na+ uptake in zebrafish, highlighting the plasticity and flexibility of these physiological systems in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex M Zimmer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Steve F Perry
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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4
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Wood CM, Gonzalez RJ, Ferreira MS, Braz-Mota S, Val AL. The physiology of the Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) at pH 8.0. J Comp Physiol B 2017; 188:393-408. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-017-1137-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 11/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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5
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Thompson WA, Rodela TM, Richards JG. Hardness does not affect the physiological responses of wild and domestic strains of diploid and triploid rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss to short-term exposure to pH 9.5. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2016; 89:1345-1358. [PMID: 27325291 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the effects of water hardness on the physiological responses associated with high pH exposure in multiple strains of diploid and triploid rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. To accomplish this, three wild strains and one domesticated strain of diploid and triploid O. mykiss were abruptly transferred from control soft water (City of Vancouver dechlorinated tap water; pH 6·7; [CaCO3 ] < 17·9 mg l(-1) ) to control soft water (handling control), high pH soft water (pH 9·5; [CaCO3 ] < 17·9 mg l(-1) ), or high pH hard water (pH 9·5; [CaCO3 ] = 320 mg l(-1) ) followed by sampling at 24 h for physiological measurements. There was a significant effect of ploidy on loss of equilibrium (LOE) over the 24 h exposure, with only triploid O. mykiss losing equilibrium at high pH in both soft and hard water. Furthermore, exposure to pH 9·5 resulted in significant decreases in plasma sodium and chloride, and increases in plasma and brain ammonia with no differences between soft and hard water. There was no significant effect of strain on LOE, but there were significant differences between strains in brain ammonia and plasma cortisol. Overall, there were no clear protective effects of hardness on high pH exposure in these strains of O. mykiss.
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Affiliation(s)
- W A Thompson
- The University of Calgary, 507 Campus Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4V8, Canada
| | - T M Rodela
- Department of Zoology, The University of British Columbia, 6270 University Blvd, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - J G Richards
- Department of Zoology, The University of British Columbia, 6270 University Blvd, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Kumai Y, Harris J, Al-Rewashdy H, Kwong RWM, Perry SF. Nitrogenous Waste Handling by Larval Zebrafish Danio rerio in Alkaline Water. Physiol Biochem Zool 2015; 88:137-45. [DOI: 10.1086/679628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Thompson WA, Rodela TM, Richards JG. The effects of strain and ploidy on the physiological responses of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to pH 9.5 exposure. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2014; 183:22-9. [PMID: 25541222 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2014.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We characterized the physiological effects of exposure to pH9.5 on one domesticated and four wild strains of diploid and triploid juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) over two consecutive years. In the first year, 35-70% of the individuals from the wild strains showed a loss of equilibrium (LOE) at 12 h exposure to pH9.5, with all fish from wild strains experiencing a LOE by 48 h. In contrast, <20% of the domesticated strain showed LOE over the 48 h exposure to pH9.5. In our second experiment, similar strain effects were observed, but far fewer fish showed LOE (≤50% in all strains) over 72 h at pH9.5. In both experiments, there was no effect of ploidy on time to LOE. In the fish that did not show LOE, high pH exposure resulted in significant increases in plasma, brain and muscle ammonia, with no effect of strain or ploidy on the extent of ammonia accumulation. Glutamine accumulated in the brain during high pH exposure, with a stoichiometric decrease in glutamate, but no differences were noted among strains or ploidies. Lactate also accumulated in the plasma to a similar extent in all trout strains and ploidies. Plasma chloride decreased at 24h exposure in all trout strains and ploidies, but recovered by 72 h. No change was observed in plasma sodium. Overall, our data suggest that the domesticated strain of trout is more tolerant of pH9.5 than the wild strains, but these differences in tolerance cannot be explained by our sub-lethal assessment of ammonia balance or ion regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Thompson
- Department of Zoology, The University of British Columbia, 6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Tamara M Rodela
- Department of Zoology, The University of British Columbia, 6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jeffrey G Richards
- Department of Zoology, The University of British Columbia, 6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Sashaw J, Nawata M, Thompson S, Wood CM, Wright PA. Rhesus glycoprotein and urea transporter genes in rainbow trout embryos are upregulated in response to alkaline water (pH 9.7) but not elevated water ammonia. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2010; 96:308-13. [PMID: 20044151 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2009.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2009] [Revised: 11/18/2009] [Accepted: 11/21/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that genes for the putative ammonia transporter, Rhesus glycoproteins (Rh) and the facilitated urea transporter (UT) are expressed before hatching in rainbow trout (Oncorhychus mykiss Walbaum) embryos. We tested the hypothesis that Rh and UT gene expressions are regulated in response to environmental conditions that inhibit ammonia excretion during early life stages. Eyed-up embryos (22 days post-fertilization (dpf)) were exposed to control (pH 8.3), high ammonia (1.70 mmol l(-1) NH4HCO3) and high pH (pH 9.7) conditions for 48h. With exposure to high water ammonia, ammonia excretion rates were reversed, tissue ammonia concentration was elevated by 9-fold, but there were no significant changes in mRNA expression relative to control embryos. In contrast, exposure to high water pH had a smaller impact on ammonia excretion rates and tissue ammonia concentrations, whereas mRNA levels for the Rhesus glycoprotein Rhcg2 and urea transporter (UT) were elevated by 3.5- and 5.6-fold, respectively. As well, mRNAs of the genes for H+ATPase and Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE2), associated with NH3 excretion, were also upregulated by 7.2- and 13-fold, respectively, in embryos exposed to alkaline water relative to controls. These results indicate that the Rhcg2, UT and associated transport genes are regulated in rainbow trout embryos, but in contrast to adults, there is no effect of high external ammonia at this stage of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Sashaw
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada
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9
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Zhang L, Wood CM. Ammonia as a stimulant to ventilation in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2009; 168:261-71. [PMID: 19619676 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2009.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2009] [Revised: 07/11/2009] [Accepted: 07/13/2009] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia is the third most important respiratory gas in ammoniotelic fish after oxygen and carbon dioxide. We here investigated the effects of elevated plasma ammonia on ventilation in freshwater rainbow trout. Intact trout fitted with indwelling dorsal aortic catheters were given injections (over 5 min) of Cortland saline, isotonic high ammonia solutions (NH(4)HCO(3), (NH(4))(2)SO(4), NH(4)OH at pH 8.0, and NH(4)OH at pH 9.0), and other solutions as controls for acid-base effects, while ventilatory rate (VR) and buccal pressure amplitude (DeltaP(buccal)) were recorded. All high ammonia solutions resulted in immediate elevations of plasma Tamm(a), Pa(NH3), and [NH(4)(+)](a), and increases in ventilatory DeltaP(buccal) and VR to different degrees. However, while Pa(O2) remained constant, in every case there was a confounding change in one or more components of acid-base status (decreases in pH(a) or increases in [HCO(3)(-)](a) or Pa(CO2) in different treatments), although the ventilatory responses to ammonia injections were generally larger than could be explained by changes in acid-base status. Therefore a series was performed in which normal blood perfusion of the gills was replaced by ventral aortic perfusion with either Cortland saline or Cortland saline plus high ammonia in which pH, [HCO(3)(-)], P(CO2), and P(O2) remained unchanged. Although ventilation was depressed in these anaesthetized, spontaneously ventilating preparations, perfusion with high ammonia saline increased DeltaP(buccal). In a final series, trout were infused for 24h with Cortland saline, isotonic NH(4)HCO(3), or isotonic (NH(4))(2)SO(4) solutions. The two ammonia solutions both caused persistent elevations in VR and DeltaP(buccal), together with similar large increases in plasma Tamm(a), Pa(NH3), and [NH(4)(+)](a). As there was no changes in Pa(O2), pH(a), Pa(CO2), or [HCO(3)(-)](a) in the (NH(4))(2)SO(4) infusion series, this, together with the ventral aortic perfusion experiment, provides the most convincing evidence that ammonia stimulates ventilation. We suggest several circumstances (post-feeding, post-exercise) where the role of ammonia as a ventilatory stimulant may have adaptive benefits for O(2) uptake, and propose that ammonia-induced hyperventilation may also facilitate ammonia excretion in rainbow trout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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10
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mRNA expression analysis of the physiological responses to ammonia infusion in rainbow trout. J Comp Physiol B 2009; 179:799-810. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-009-0361-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2009] [Revised: 03/23/2009] [Accepted: 03/25/2009] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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11
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Scott DM, Lucas MC, Wilson RW. The effect of high pH on ion balance, nitrogen excretion and behaviour in freshwater fish from an eutrophic lake: a laboratory and field study. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2005; 73:31-43. [PMID: 15892990 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2004.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2004] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Slapton Ley is a freshwater hyper-eutrophic lake of two basins connected by a narrow channel. One part of the lake experiences summer blooms of cyanobacteria and poor water quality, including elevated water pH (maximum pH recorded=10.54), the other part is shaded by reed beds, and remains clear and neutral. This study used laboratory and field physiological measurements together with radio-tracking to investigate the potential impacts of alkaline pH on the physiology and behaviour of fish from Slapton Ley. Exposure of perch (Perca fluviatilis) from Slapton Ley to pH 9.50 water in the laboratory caused an immediate inhibition of sodium uptake and ammonia excretion to 34 and 32% of control levels, respectively. Net sodium balance recovered by day 3 of exposure whereas ammonia excretion only partially recovered to 60-70% of the control value from 8 h onwards. Urea excretion did not increase as a result of high pH exposure. Fish from the alkaline part of the lake (pH 9.90) had almost three-fold greater plasma ammonia compared to fish from neutral waters, indicating a pronounced disruption of ammonia excretion in the field. There was no significant disturbance to plasma sodium, chloride or total protein in fish sampled from the alkaline water of Slapton Ley. The radio-tracking provided no evidence of adult perch and pike (Esox lucius) trying to seek refuge from the alkaline conditions, despite having access to adjacent parts of the lake with neutral pH. It seems likely that there are advantages (e.g. better foraging, less predation) of withstanding the high pH conditions that outweigh the benefit of moving into more pH neutral parts of the lake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn M Scott
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Hatherly Laboratories, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4PS, UK.
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12
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Evans DH, Piermarini PM, Choe KP. The Multifunctional Fish Gill: Dominant Site of Gas Exchange, Osmoregulation, Acid-Base Regulation, and Excretion of Nitrogenous Waste. Physiol Rev 2005; 85:97-177. [PMID: 15618479 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00050.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1554] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The fish gill is a multipurpose organ that, in addition to providing for aquatic gas exchange, plays dominant roles in osmotic and ionic regulation, acid-base regulation, and excretion of nitrogenous wastes. Thus, despite the fact that all fish groups have functional kidneys, the gill epithelium is the site of many processes that are mediated by renal epithelia in terrestrial vertebrates. Indeed, many of the pathways that mediate these processes in mammalian renal epithelial are expressed in the gill, and many of the extrinsic and intrinsic modulators of these processes are also found in fish endocrine tissues and the gill itself. The basic patterns of gill physiology were outlined over a half century ago, but modern immunological and molecular techniques are bringing new insights into this complicated system. Nevertheless, substantial questions about the evolution of these mechanisms and control remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Evans
- Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, USA.
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Moraes G, Polez VLP. Ureotelism is inducible in the neotropical freshwater Hoplias malabaricus (Teleostei, Erythrinidae). BRAZ J BIOL 2004; 64:265-71. [PMID: 15462300 DOI: 10.1590/s1519-69842004000200012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased environmental pH decreases ammonia transport through the gills, impairing nitrogenous waste. The consequent toxicity is usually drastic to most fishes. A few species are able to synthesize urea as a way to detoxify plasma ammonia. We studied three teleosts of the family Erythrinidae living in distinct environments, and assumed the biochemical behaviors would be different in spite of their being closely related species. Adult fish collected in the wild were submitted to alkaline water and the urea excretion rate was determined. The specific activity of urea cycle enzymes was determined in liver samples of fish from neutral waters. The studied species Hoplias lacerdae, Hoplerithrynus unitaeniatus, and Hoplias malabaricus are ureogenic. Urea synthesis is not a metabolic way to detoxify ammonia in H. lacerdae and Hoplerithrynus unitaeniatus exposed to an alkaline environment. The plasma ammonia profile of both species showed two distinct biochemical responses. Urea excretion of H. malabaricus was high in alkaline water, and the transition to ureotelism is proposed. The nitrogen excretion rate of H. malabaricus was among the highest values reported and the high urea excretion leads us to include this species as ureotelic in alkaline water.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Moraes
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, UFSCar, Rod. Washington Luís, km 235, C.P. 676, CEP 13560-905, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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14
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Poléo ABS, Hytterød S. The effect of aluminium in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with special emphasis on alkaline water. J Inorg Biochem 2003; 97:89-96. [PMID: 14507464 DOI: 10.1016/s0162-0134(03)00261-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr were exposed to aluminium under both steady state and non-steady state chemical conditions in alkaline water. Under alkaline (pH 9.5) steady state conditions, approximately 350 microg Al l(-1) (predominantly aluminate, Al(OH)(4)(-)) had no acute toxic effect on the salmon. The fish, however, showed a physiological response after 3 weeks of exposure ( approximately 300% increase in blood glucose concentration, about 30% increase in blood haematocrit, and about 15% decrease in plasma Cl(-) concentration). No increase in toxicity was evident under non-steady state conditions, i.e. lowering Al solubility as pH was lowered from 9.5 to 7.5. The results indicate that the toxicity of the aluminate ion (Al(OH)(4)(-)) is low, and particularly lower than the corresponding toxicity of cationic Al hydroxides. The effects observed in fish exposed to Al-rich water at pH 9.5 were counteracted as Al solubility was decreased by lowering pH to 7.5. This is contrary to previous observations where Al solubility has been lowered by increasing pH from 5.0 to 6.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio B S Poléo
- Department of Biology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066, Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.
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15
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Wilkie MP. Ammonia excretion and urea handling by fish gills: present understanding and future research challenges. THE JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY 2002; 293:284-301. [PMID: 12115902 DOI: 10.1002/jez.10123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In fresh water fishes, ammonia is excreted across the branchial epithelium via passive NH(3) diffusion. This NH(3) is subsequently trapped as NH(4)(+) in an acidic unstirred boundary layer lying next to the gill, which maintains the blood-to-gill water NH(3) partial pressure gradient. Whole animal, in situ, ultrastructural and molecular approaches suggest that boundary layer acidification results from the hydration of CO(2) in the expired gill water, and to a lesser extent H(+) excretion mediated by apical H(+)-ATPases. Boundary layer acidification is insignificant in highly buffered sea water, where ammonia excretion proceeds via NH(3) diffusion, as well as passive NH(4)(+) diffusion due to the greater ionic permeability of marine fish gills. Although Na(+)/H(+) exchangers (NHE) have been isolated in marine fish gills, possible Na(+)/NH(4)(+) exchange via these proteins awaits evaluation using modern electrophysiological and molecular techniques. Although urea excretion (J(Urea)) was thought to be via passive diffusion, it is now clear that branchial urea handling requires specialized urea transporters. Four urea transporters have been cloned in fishes, including the shark kidney urea transporter (shUT), which is a facilitated urea transporter similar to the mammalian renal UT-A2 transporter. Another urea transporter, characterized but not yet cloned, is the basolateral, Na(+) dependent urea antiporter of the dogfish gill, which is essential for urea retention in ureosmotic elasmobranchs. In ureotelic teleosts such as the Lake Magadi tilapia and the gulf toadfish, the cloned mtUT and tUT are facilitated urea transporters involved in J(Urea). A basolateral urea transporter recently cloned from the gill of the Japanese eel (eUT) may actually be important for urea retention during salt water acclimation. A multi-faceted approach, incorporating whole animal, histological, biochemical, pharmacological, and molecular techniques is required to learn more about the location, mechanism of action, and functional significance of urea transporters in fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Patrick Wilkie
- Division of Life Sciences, University of Toronto at Scarborough, Scarborough, Ontario, M1C 1A6 Canada.
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16
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Wilkie MP, Laurent P, Wood CM. The physiological basis for altered Na+ and Cl- movements across the gills of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in alkaline (pH = 9.5) water. Physiol Biochem Zool 1999; 72:360-8. [PMID: 10222330 DOI: 10.1086/316670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
To test the hypothesis that internal ion imbalances at high pH are caused by altered branchial ion transporting capacity and permeability, radiotracers (24Na+ and 36Cl-) were used to measure ion movements across the gills of intact rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during 3 d exposure to pH 9.5. At control pH (pH 8.0), the trout were in net ion balance, but by 8 h at high pH, 60%-70% reductions in Cl- influx (JClin) and Na+ influx (JNain) led to net Cl- and Na+ losses of -200 micromol kg-1 h-1. Outflux (diffusive efflux plus renal ion losses) was not initially altered. By 72 h, net Cl- balance was reestablished because of a restoration of JClin. Although JNain remained 50% lower at this time, counterbalancing reductions in Na+ outflux restored net Na+ balance. One-substrate ion-uptake kinetics analyses indicated that reduced ion influx after 8 h at pH 9.5 was caused by 50% decreases in Cl- and Na+ maximal transport rates (JClmax, JNamax), likely reflecting decreased numbers of functional transport sites. Two-substrate kinetic analyses indicated that reduced internal HCO-3 and H+ supply for respective branchial Cl-/base and Na+/acid transport systems also contributed to lower JClin and, to a lesser extent, lower JNain at pH 9.5. Recovery of JClmax after 3 d accounted for restoration of Cl- balance and likely reflected increased numbers of transport sites. In contrast, JNamax remained 33% lower after 3 d, but a lower affinity of the gills for Na+ (fourfold greater KNam) accounted for the chronic reduction in Na+ influx at pH 9.5. Thus, reestablishment of Cl- uptake capacity and counterbalancing reductions in Na+ outflux allows rainbow trout to reestablish net ion balance in alkaline waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Wilkie
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.
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