Flow along the Gut and Intestinal Absorption of Salt and Water in Euryhaline Teleosts: A Theoretical Analysis

Ontogeny of osmoregulation in postembryonic fish: a review

Salinity and its variations are among the key factors that affect survival, metabolism and distribution during the fish development. The successful establishment of a fish species in a given habitat depends on the ability of each developmental stage to cope with salinity through osmoregulation. It is well established that adult teleosts maintain their blood osmolality close to 300 mosM kg(-1) due to ion and water regulation effected at several sites: tegument, gut, branchial chambers, urinary organs. But fewer data are available in developing fish. We propose a review on the ontogeny of osmoregulation based on studies conducted in different species. Most teleost prelarvae are able to osmoregulate at hatch, and their ability increases in later stages. Before the occurrence of gills, the prelarval tegument where a high density of ionocytes (displaying high contents of Na+/K+-ATPase) is located appears temporarily as the main osmoregulatory site. Gills develop gradually during the prelarval stage along with the numerous ionocytes they support. The tegument and gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity varies ontogenetically. During the larval phase, the osmoregulatory function shifts from the skin to the gills, which become the main osmoregulatory site. The drinking rate normalized to body weight tends to decrease throughout development. The kidney and urinary bladder develop progressively during ontogeny and the capacity to produce hypotonic urine at low salinity increases accordingly. The development of the osmoregulatory functions is hormonally controlled. These events are inter-related and are correlated with changes in salinity tolerance, which often increases markedly at the metamorphic transition from larva to juvenile. In summary, the ability of ontogenetical stages of fish to tolerate salinity through osmoregulation relies on integumental ionocytes, then digestive tract development and drinking rate, developing branchial chambers and urinary organs. The physiological changes leading to variations in salinity tolerance are one of the main basis of the ontogenetical migrations or movements between habitats of different salinity regimes.

Does the ostrich (Struthio camelus) coprodeum have the electrophysiological properties and microstructure of other birds?

The ostrich is unique among birds in having complete separation of urine and faeces. The coprodeal epithelium is thus during dehydration exposed to a fluid 500 mOsm hyperosmotic to plasma. We have investigated whether the coprodeum is adapted like a mammalian bladder. The coprodeal epithelium was studied by electrophysiology in the Ussing chamber, and the anatomy by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

The short-circuit current (SCC) and open circuit electrical potential difference were recorded. The change induced by 0.1 mmol mucosal amiloride was recorded. An average basal SCC of 162+/-29 microA/cm(2) was observed, and a resistance of 297+/-34 Omega cm(2) calculated. These values are as observed in other avian coprodea. The resistance is much lower than in mammalian bladders (10000 Omega cm(2)). The amiloride-sensitive SCC, equal to net sodium absorption, was approximately 5 micromol/cm(2)h as observed in other avian species.

ANATOMY

The mucosal membrane is composed of broad irregular folds with very short intestinal glands containing an unusually high proportion of goblet cells.

CONCLUSION

The ostrich coprodeum is not adapted like a mammalian bladder. The abundance of goblet cells results in a copious secretion of mucus that establishes a thick unstirred layer giving effective osmotic protection.

Resting metabolic rate, critical swimming speed, and routine activity of the euryhaline cyprinodontid, Aphanius dispar, acclimated to a wide range of salinities

Specimens of the euryhaline cyprinodontid fish, Aphanius dispar, collected in salt ponds, were acclimated to salinities of <1 (freshwater), 35 (seawater), 70, 105, and 140 ppt for 4 wk before measurement of oxygen consumption, critical swimming speed, and routine activity level. Oxygen consumption was similar in <1, 35, and 70 ppt (0.18+/-0.07, 0.17+/-0.06, and 0.16+/-0.04 mL h(-1) g(-1), respectively [mean+/-SD]) but decreased in 105 and 140 ppt (0. 12+/-0.02 and 0.09+/-0.2 mL h(-1) g(-1), respectively). Critical swimming speed and routine activity levels showed the same trend. These results suggest a general decrease in physiological function of A. dispar at extreme salinities.