Summary
The permeability characteristics to water and ions, of the seawater adapted eel, have been studied in the absence and presence of external calcium and magnesium.
The absence of these divalent ions from the external medium produces an increase in the unidirectional and net water fluxes as well as a decrease in temperature coefficients. Similarly, an increase in the effluxes of sodium and chloride and a large increase in the passive loss of these ions was observed when fish were transferred to deionized water. The stimulating effect of externally added (10 mM) potassium on the sodium and chloride effluxes, when fish are transferred to fresh water is abolished in the absence of calcium and magnesium (Fig. 1). These kinetic changes are accompanied by ultrastructural changes concerned principally with the “chloride cells” (Figs. 2 and 3).
The results are discussed in terms of the possible role of calcium and magnesium in the maintenance of the hydro-mineral equilibrium of the eel.
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Isaia, J., Masoni, A. The effects of calcium and magnesium on water and ionic permeabilities in the sea water adapted eel,Anguilla anguilla L.. J Comp Physiol B 109, 221–233 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00689420
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00689420