盐胁迫下构树幼苗各器官中K+、Ca2+、Na+和Cl-含量分布及吸收特征

将当年生构树幼苗置于含有不同浓度（04、1、2、3、4 g·kg^-1）NaCl的土壤中,研究其生物量积累、叶片细胞质膜透性和K⁺、Ca²⁺、Na⁺、Cl^-等离子的吸收、分布及运输,并观察盐害症状.结果表明：构树幼苗的叶片质膜透性随着NaCl浓度的增加和胁迫时间的延长而升高,根冠比随NaCl浓度的升高而增加,大于3 g·kg^-1的土壤盐胁迫对构树叶片的质膜透性及植株的生物量积累影响显著.构树幼苗各器官中Na⁺和Cl^-含量随土壤NaCl浓度升高而显著增加,K⁺和Ca²⁺则随之降低,叶片各离子含量均明显高于根和茎.说明盐胁迫影响根系对K⁺和Ca²⁺的吸收,并抑制了它们向地上部分的选择性运输,使叶和茎的K⁺和Ca²⁺含量下降.构树通过吸收积累Na⁺和Cl^-抵御土壤盐分带来的渗透胁迫,但过量的Na⁺和Cl^-积累会造成单盐毒害.作为抗盐性较高的非盐生植物,构树地上部分的拒盐作用不显著.     

分布的影响

采用营养液水培,以2个耐盐性不同的黄瓜品种为材料,研究了不同浓度NaCl处理下幼苗植株体内K⁺、Na⁺和Cl^-在器官间的区域化分布及其吸收和运输特性的变化。结果表明：NaCl胁迫下,黄瓜植株体内K⁺含量下降,Na⁺和Cl^-含量升高,变化幅度随NaCl浓度的升高而增大;不同器官间,茎中Na⁺和Cl^-含量最高,上位叶中Na⁺和Cl^-含量最低、K⁺含量下降幅度最小。与耐盐性较弱的“津春2号”相比,耐盐性较强的“长春密刺”根向茎运输的S_K,Na值较高,根系对Na⁺的截留作用较强,茎向上位叶运输的S_{K ,Na}和S_Cl,Na值均较高,叶片中K⁺含量下降幅度较小,K/Na和Cl/Na比值均较高,功能叶中盐分离子尤其是Na+积累较少,植株生物量较高。说明根系对Na⁺的截留能力较强且向上位叶运输Na⁺的选择性较低,是“长春密刺”耐盐性较强的主要原因之一。     

荒漠盐生植物根际系统盐分分布特征

利用盐土和棉田土,采用水平根垫法对4种不同类型的荒漠盐生植物进行栽培实验,应用冰冻薄层切片法对距根表不同距离的土壤进行分层取样,并测定不同层次土壤中pH、总盐、Cl^-、SO₄^2-、Na⁺、K⁺、Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺的含量。结果表明: 在盐土中,距根表不同距离的土壤中,pH值呈有规律的梯度分布,即根际微区pH值较土体下降,且距根表越近,pH值越低;而在棉田土中却没有显著变化;总盐在根际出现较大的亏缺区,最大亏缺率位于距根表0～4 mm处;在盐土中,除芦苇外,其余3种盐生植物的根际土中Cl^-、SO₄^2-、Na⁺、K⁺、和Mg²⁺的含量在根际有明显的富集;在棉田土中,除K⁺外,这些离子在根际也有富集,但富集程度比盐土低,K⁺表现亏缺,而Ca²⁺却是富集的;4种植物尤其是稀盐盐生植物和泌盐盐生植物,地上部分的主要盐离子（如Cl^-、Na⁺、Ca²⁺和K⁺）含量比地下部分高,在根际富集程度最高的Cl^-和Na⁺,在植株的地上部分也增加的最多。     

盐、碱胁迫下小冰麦体内的pH及离子平衡

通过混合两种中性盐（NaCl和Na₂SO₄）和两种碱性盐（NaHCO₃和Na₂CO₃）分别模拟出不同强度的盐、碱胁迫条件，对小冰麦苗进行12 d胁迫处理，测定茎叶组织液的pH值及Na⁺、K⁺、Ca²⁺、Cl^-、SO₄^2-、NO₃^-、H₂PO₄-和有机酸等溶质的浓度，以探讨盐、碱两种胁迫下小冰麦体内的pH及离子平衡特点.结果表明：盐、碱胁迫下小冰麦茎叶内的pH值均稳定不变；随胁迫强度的增加，盐胁迫下小冰麦茎叶内有机酸浓度没有明显变化，Cl^-浓度大幅度增加，而碱胁迫下有机酸浓度大幅度增加，Cl^-浓度没有明显变化.盐、碱胁迫下小冰麦茎叶中的阳离子均以Na⁺和K⁺为主，但阴离子的来源明显不同.盐胁迫下无机阴离子对负电荷的贡献起主导作用，其贡献率达61.3%～66.7%；而碱胁迫下，随胁迫强度的增大，有机酸对负离子的贡献率从38.35%上升到61.60%，逐渐成为主导成分.实验结果表明，有机酸积累是小冰麦在碱胁迫下保持体内离子平衡和pH稳定的关键生理响应.     

盐碱地渗水盐度与钠钾比对凡纳滨对虾生长的影响

为广泛利用滨海盐碱地渗水开展对虾养殖，本文研究了盐碱地渗水不同盐度及钠钾比（Na⁺/ K⁺）对凡纳滨对虾存活、生长、代谢及体内谷草转氨酶（GOT）、谷丙转氨酶（GPT）和Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase等3种酶活性的影响.试验用水盐度分别为5、10和15，各盐度组Na⁺/K⁺分别为20、40、50、60、70和90，试验周期为20 d.结果表明，盐度为15的条件下，凡纳滨对虾的存活、生长、代谢及酶活性表现最佳，在此盐度条件下，Na⁺/K⁺保持在40和50条件下，凡纳滨对虾存活、生长、代谢及酶活力较高.表明盐碱地渗水经适当调配可用于凡纳滨对虾的养殖.     

氯化钠胁迫对不同品种南瓜幼苗阳离子含量的影响

选择19个不同类型南瓜品种，研究了300 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫条件下，幼苗地上部和根系Na⁺、K⁺、Ca²⁺含量、Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、钠-钾和钠-钙运输选择性系数(S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值)的变化.结果表明：NaCl胁迫处理8 d后，不同品种南瓜幼苗Na⁺含量均明显增加，而K⁺含量下降，离子平衡被打破.青栗（Q₁）南瓜幼苗根系Na⁺含量、地上部Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值均明显高于黑蜜南瓜（H₂）和黑籽南瓜（H₃）.不同品种南瓜幼苗体内Na⁺含量、地上部Na⁺/K⁺和Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值变化趋势与NaCI胁迫下不同品种南瓜幼苗盐害指数的结果基本一致,进一步验证了Q₁耐盐性强与NaCl胁迫下地上部Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值较低以及K⁺、Ca²⁺含量较高有关；而H₂和H₃对盐敏感与NaCl胁迫下地上部Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值较高，以及K⁺、Ca²⁺含量较低有关.     

吸收与分配规律的初步研究

选择苗期耐盐性较强的水稻(Oryza sativa)品种（株系）‘AB52’、‘02402’和‘02435’及敏感品种‘日本晴’, 在网室周转箱内,设置5 000和8 000 mg•L^－1 NaCl两种盐处理,以清水为对照, 研究盐胁迫下苗期水稻植株不同部位Na⁺和K⁺的吸收和分配与品种耐盐性的关系。结果表明,盐胁迫下,株高、绿叶干重和绿叶面积下降,绿叶中的水分含量降低,但茎鞘中的水分含量有所上升。5 000 mg•L^－1 NaCl胁迫处理10 d,耐盐品种所受的生长影响和叶片伤害程度低于敏感品种,但8 000 mg•L^－1 NaCl胁迫处理下品种间差异变小。盐胁迫下,水稻植株吸收 Na⁺和置换出K⁺,但不同器官部位中Na⁺和K⁺的区域化分布特征明显,各部位的Na⁺含量由低到高依次为绿叶、根、茎鞘和枯叶。下部老叶能优先积累较多Na⁺而枯黄;绿叶吸收Na⁺ 相对较少,维持较低的Na⁺水平,同时保持较高且稳定的K⁺含量;植株茎鞘通过选择性吸收大量Na⁺ 和置换出一部分K⁺到叶片中,保持绿叶较稳定的K⁺含量和相对较低的Na⁺含量,维持较高的K⁺ /Na⁺比,从而使植株少受盐害。敏感品种‘日本晴’在盐胁迫下绿叶中的Na⁺含量相对较高,且 5 000 mg●L^－1 NaCl胁迫下绿叶Na⁺含量已接近高值,与在8 000 mg●L^－1 NaCl胁迫下差异不大, 而耐盐品种绿叶吸收较少的Na⁺。另一方面,耐盐品种茎鞘的含K⁺相对较高,在盐胁迫下能吸收容纳较多的Na⁺,而绿叶中K⁺/Na⁺比较高。可以认为,绿叶的K⁺/Na⁺比可作为一个衡量耐盐性的相对指标。     

不同基因型番茄种子萌发期的耐盐性

选用14种不同基因型番茄进行萌芽期NaCl胁迫耐盐性筛选,对相对发芽势和相对发芽率两项指标进行聚类分析,将其划分为耐盐性强（5种）和耐盐性弱（9种）两类,从中选出4种耐盐性和生物性状不同的番茄(耐盐性强：野生醋栗番茄、小果型辽园红玛瑙、大果型红宝石;耐盐性弱：大果型辽园红多丽)分别进行不同种类钠盐以及NaCl、Na⁺、Cl^-两组胁迫试验.结果表明：4种不同基因型番茄对各种盐胁迫响应与NaCl的鉴定结果一致;不同Na⁺盐中碱性盐NaHCO₃对番茄的影响最大,在100 mmol·L^-1 Na⁺浓度下,4种基因型番茄的相对胚芽长度都在8%以下,5种盐对番茄种子萌发的抑制顺序为：NaNO₃2SO₄2PO₄3;NaCl、Na⁺、Cl^-胁迫下,Cl^-对番茄的伤害最小.     

不同森林群落类型溪流水化学特征的季节动态

以小兴安岭凉水自然保护区内的阔叶红松林、云冷杉林和落叶松人工林为研究对象, 于2006年3—10月, 分析了其溪流水化学特征的动态变化. 结果表明: 不同月份3种森林群落溪流水的主要阳离子含量均表现为 Ca²⁺>Na⁺>K⁺>Mg²⁺, 主要阴离子含量均为HCO₃^->SO₄^2->NO₃^->Cl^-;不同群落类型的主要离子含量影响显著, 3种森林群落溪流水中Na⁺、Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、Fe²⁺和Fe³⁺平均含量为云冷杉林>落叶松人工林>阔叶红松林, 而K⁺为落叶松人工林>云冷杉林>阔叶红松林; 主要阴离子平均含量均以落叶松人工林溪流水中为最高.     

氯离子和乙二胺四乙酸对镉的植物有效性的影响

通过水培试验,向营养液中添加不同浓度的Cl^-或乙二胺四乙酸（EDTA）,研究了离子的配合作用对水稻及油菜吸收镉的影响.结果表明,随着营养液中Cl^-或EDTA浓度的增加,水稻和油菜地上部与根中镉的浓度降低.Cl^-浓度的增加抑制了水稻对镉的吸收,地上部与根部的镉含量分别从212.2和345.1 mg·kg^-1降低到34.1和209.1 mg·kg^-1.EDTA的添加抑制了水稻及油菜对镉的吸收,水稻地上部与根部的镉含量分别从212.2和345.2 mg·kg^-1降低到50.0和4.2 mg·kg^-1;油菜地上部与根部的镉含量分别从86.7和149.2 mg·kg^-1降低到22.2和12.3 mg·kg^-1.在营养液培养条件下,Cl^-或EDTA与镉的配合作用降低了植物对镉的吸收,与Cl^-相比,EDTA的抑制作用更明显.     

Expression and distribution of Na, K-ATPase in gill and kidney of the spotted green pufferfish, Tetraodon nigroviridis, in response to salinity challenge

Freshwater (FW) spotted green pufferfish (Tetraodon nigroviridis) were transferred directly from a local aquarium to fresh water (FW; 0 per thousand ), brackish water (BW; 15 per thousand ), and seawater (SW; 35 per thousand ) conditions in the laboratory and reared for at least two weeks. No mortality was found. To investigate the efficient mechanisms of osmoregulation in the euryhaline teleost, distribution and expression of Na,K-ATPase (NKA) in gill and kidney of the pufferfish were examined and the osmolality, [Na+] and [Cl-] of the blood were assayed. The lowest levels of both relative protein abundance and activity were found to be exhibited in the BW group, and higher levels in the SW group than FW group. In all salinities, branchial NKA immunoreactivity was found in epithelial cells of the interlamellar region of the filament and not on the lamellae. Relative abundance of kidney NKA alpha-subunit, as well as the NKA activity, was found to be higher in the FW pufferfish than fish in BW or SW. Renal NKA appeared in the epithelial cells of distal tubules, proximal tubules, and collecting tubules, but not in glomeruli, in fish groups of various salinities. Plasma osmolality and chloride levels were significantly lower in FW pufferfish than those in BW and SW, whereas plasma sodium did not differ among the groups. Although identical distributions of NKA were found in either gill or kidney of FW-, BW- or SW-acclimated spotted green pufferfish, differential NKA expression in fish of various salinity groups was associated with physiological homeostasis (stable blood osmolality), and illustrated the impressive osmoregulatory ability of this freshwater and estuarine species in response to salinity challenge.     

Effects of gradual salinity increase on osmoregulation in Caspian roach Rutilus caspicus

This study was carried out to determine the effects of gradual salinity increase on osmoregulatory ability of the Caspian roach Rutilus caspicus, under conditions which mimic stocking conditions of hatchery-raised fish. Initially, 30 juvenile fish (mean ± S.D. 3.20 ± 0.34 g) were transferred to 20 l circular tanks, in which salinities were changed in a stepwise fashion, from 0 to 5, 10 or 15 at 48 h intervals. The fish at salinity 15 were held for an additional 48 h at this salinity. Forty-eight hours after salinity transfer, survival rate, haematocrit, plasma Cl(-) , Na(+) and K(+) concentrations, osmolality and gill Na(+) /K(+) -ATPase (NKA) activity were measured. The only effect of exposure to 5 was a significant reduction in haematocrit compared to the freshwater control group. Exposure to salinity 10 raised haematocrit, Cl(-) and Na(+) concentrations and osmolality. At 48 h exposure to salinity 15, haematocrit, Cl(-) and Na(+) concentrations and osmolality were significantly higher than freshwater controls, and gill NKA activity was significantly lower, but the effect on NKA was no longer evident at 96 h exposure. There were no effects on survival. These results indicate that R. caspicus juveniles experience an initial non-lethal iono-osmotic perturbation following salinity increase but can adapt to brackish water at salinity 15.     

Short-term effects of hyposmotic shock on Na+/K+ -ATPase expression in gills of the euryhaline milkfish, Chanos chanos

Changes in expression of gill Na+/K+ -ATPase (NKA) on a short-term (96 h) time-course following hyposmotic shock (direct transfer to fresh water) of the euryhaline, marine milkfish were studied on gene, protein, and cell levels in this paper. Plasma osmolality and [Na+] responded with rapid declines in 3 h post-transfer yet, thereafter, remained constant. Plasma [Cl-] gradually fell to a significantly lower level at 6 h post-transfer. Gills responded to hyposmotic shock by a dual phase enhancement of NKA activity and protein abundance; (a) Before 24 h: NKA activity increased as early as 3 h and reached a maximum level from 6 to 12 h post-transfer coincided with the sustained lower levels of plasma osmolality, [Na+], and [Cl-] since 3 h post-transfer. This was followed by a gradual rise in alpha-subunit protein levels that peaked at 12 h post-transfer. Meanwhile, alpha-mRNA of NKA did no show significant change. (b) After 24 h: NKA activity as well as the amounts of alpha-subunit mRNA and protein increased significantly. Direct freshwater transfer induced a prompt and significant decrease of NKA immunoreactive (NKIR) cell abundance in filaments before 24 h, followed by a significant increase after 24 h due to their development in filaments and lamellae. Increased number of NKIR cells after 24 h of hyposmotic shock may occur in conjunction with rise of NKA activity as well as alpha-subunit mRNA and protein abundance. In conclusion, milkfish is able to avoid an excessive drop in plasma ions immediately upon hyposmotic shock and maintain plasma ions on a marginal lower level in fresh water. Notably, the initial increase in NKA activity (adjustive phase; 3-12 h) and delayed increase in NKA mRNA and protein abundance (regulatory phase; 48-96 h) indicate the importance of a higher level of the gill enzyme in milkfish upon hyposmotic shock.     

Impact of environmental DDT concentrations on gill adaptation to increased salinity in the tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron

Estuaries of tropical developing countries suffering from severe droughts induced by climate change are habitats to fish, which face drastic salinity variations and the contact with pollutants. The Western Africa tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron is highly resistant to hypersalinity, but the effect of human-released xenobiotics on its adaptation is barely known. Controlled experiments were conducted to observe S. melanotheron gill adaptation to abrupt salinity variations in the presence of waterborne DDT, at concentrations detected in their natural habitat. The gills appeared as an important site of DDT conversion to DDD and/or depuration. A 12-days DDT exposure resulted in decreased gill epithelium thickness at all salinities (from fresh- to hypersaline-water), and the structure of gills from freshwater fish was particularly altered, relative to controls. No unbalance in tilapia blood osmolality was observed following DDT exposure, which however caused a decrease in branchial Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase (NKA) activity. Gill cellular NKA expression was reduced in salt-water, together with the expression of the CFTR chloride channel in hypersaline water. Although S. melanotheron seems very resistant (especially in seawater) to short-term waterborne DDT contamination, the resulting alterations of the gill tissue, cells and enzymes might affect longer term respiration, toxicant depuration and/or osmoregulation in highly fluctuating salinities.     

低盐对菊黄东方鲀幼鱼生长、存活、耗氧、鳃Na /K -ATP酶以及肝抗氧化酶的影响

通过探讨低盐(盐度为0、1.7、5、10、15和20)对菊黄东方鲀(Takifugu flavidus)幼鱼生长、存活、耗氧、鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶以及肝抗氧化酶的影响,研究了菊黄东方鲀幼鱼对低盐的适应性。结果显示,菊黄东方鲀幼鱼在盐度0组实验3周后全部死亡;盐度1.7组实验6周幼鱼大量死亡,最后成活率相当低,仅17.33%;盐度5、10、15和20组的幼鱼在整个实验中没有出现死亡现象。全长特定生长率在盐度1.7~20组之间没有显著差异。体重特定生长率,1.7盐度组比其他盐度组显著低(P0.05),5~20盐度组之间没有显著差异(P0.05)。最高的全长特定生长率和最高的体重特定生长率均出现在10盐度组。前6周的饵料系数在盐度1.7~20组之间没有显著差异,但最高(1.27)和最低(1.17)的饵料系数分别出现在1.7和10盐度组,总饵料系数在5~20盐度组之间没有显著差异。幼鱼的耗氧率在5~20盐度组之间没有显著差异,但最低的耗氧率出现在10盐度组。最低的鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶(NKA)活性出现在10盐度组,5~20盐度与NKA活性的关系可以用二次函数来拟合(y=0.083 2 x2﹣2.125 2 x+20.915,r2=0.977 9),由此得到理论上最低NKA活性值出现在盐度12.77。肝超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性在盐度1.7~20组之间均无显著差异,而10和15盐度组的过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性比1.7和20盐度组的显著低(P0.05),1.7~20盐度与CAT活性关系可以用二次函数来拟合(y=0.257 7 x2﹣5.807 6 x+87.357,r2=0.877 1),由此得到理论上最低CAT活性值出现在盐度11.27。研究结果表明,盐度1.7是菊黄东方鲀幼鱼的生存极限低盐,盐度5以上已经能适合其存活和生长,盐度10~15是的菊黄东方鲀幼鱼的最适宜盐度范围,适当降低盐度对菊黄东方鲀幼鱼的养殖生产是有利的。建议菊黄东方鲀幼鱼养殖盐度至少在5以上,最好在10~15范围。     

水体盐度对中华绒螯蟹成体雄蟹渗透压调节和生理代谢的影响

为研究长期不同水体盐度对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis以下简称河蟹)成体雄蟹渗透压调节和生理代谢的影响, 在不同水体盐度条件下(0、6、12和18)对河蟹雄体进行为期60d的养殖实验, 并分别检测其渗透调节及生理代谢相关指标。结果显示: (1)血清渗透压、Na+、Mg2+和Cl-含量随水体盐度上升而显著上升(P0.05), K+和Ca2+含量有上升趋势, 但各盐度组差异不显著(P0.05); 无论何组雄蟹, 其血清渗透压均显著高于对应的水体渗透压; (2)0组雄蟹后鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶活性显著高于其他组(P0.05), 其他各组间差异不显著(P0.05); (3)就血清生理代谢指标而言, 12组雄蟹血清中甘油三酯(TG)含量显著高于其他组(P0.05), 而尿酸(UA)、葡萄糖(Glu)、丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性相对较低; 所有组尿素(Urea)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)含量差异不显著(P0.05); (4)就肝胰腺生理代谢指标而言, 6组肝胰腺MDA含量和-谷氨酰转肽酶(-GT)活力最低, 12组酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和-GT活性显著高于其他盐度组(P0.05)。因此, 适当提高水体盐度可提高河蟹成体雄蟹的血清渗透压及其主要离子含量, 同时降低其后鳃中Na+/K+-ATP酶活性。肝胰腺和血清代谢指标暗示12盐度组雄体的代谢水平相对较低, 具有较强的免疫性能和抗氧化能力。     

Short-term low-salinity tolerance by the longhorn sculpin, Myoxocephalus octodecimspinosus

The bottom-dwelling, longhorn sculpin, Myoxocephalus octodecimspinosus, is traditionally viewed as a stenohaline marine fish, but fishermen have described finding this sculpin in estuaries during high tide. Little is known about the salinity tolerance of the longhorn sculpin; thus, the purposes of these experiments were to explore the effects of low environmental salinity on ion transporter expression and distribution in the longhorn sculpin gill. Longhorn sculpin were acclimated to either 100% seawater (SW, sham), 20% SW, or 10% SW for 24 or 72 hr. Plasma osmolality, sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations were not different between the 20 and 100% treatments; however, they were 20-25% lower with exposure to 10% SW at 24 and 72 hr. In the teleost gill, regulation of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase (NKA), Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC1), and the chloride channel, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) are necessary for ion homeostasis. We immunolocalized these proteins to the mitochondrion-rich cell of the gill and determined that acclimation to low salinity does not affect their localization. Also, there was not a downregulation of gill NKA, NKCC1, and CFTR mRNA or protein during acclimation to low salinities. Collectively, these results suggest that down to 20% SW longhorn sculpin are capable of completely regulating ion levels over a 72-hr period, whereas 10% SW exposure results in a significant loss of ions and no change in ion transporter density or localization in the gill. We conclude that longhorn sculpin can tolerate low-salinity environments for days but, because they cannot regulate ion transporter density, they are unable to tolerate low salinity for longer periods or enter freshwater (FW). The genus Myoxocephalus has three FW species, making this group an excellent model to test evolutionary and physiological mechanisms that allow teleosts to invade new low salinities successfully.     

Effects of low salinity media on growth, condition, and gill ion transporter expression in juvenile Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis

The Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, is a euryhaline teleost which has important ecological roles in the brackish-water marshes of its native range as well as commercial value as live bait for saltwater anglers. Effects of osmoregulation on growth, survival, and body condition at 0.5, 5.0, 8.0 and 12.0‰ salinity were studied in F. grandis juveniles during a 12-week trial. Relative expression of genes encoding the ion transport proteins Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (NKA), Na(+)/K(+)/2Cl(-) cotransporter(NKCC1), and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl(-) channel was analyzed. At 0.5‰, F. grandis showed depressed growth, body condition, and survival relative to higher salinities. NKA relative expression was elevated at 7 days post-transfer but decreased at later time points in fish held at 0.5‰ while other salinities produced no such increase. NKCC1, the isoform associated with expulsion of ions in saltwater, was downregulated from week 1 to week 3 at 0.5‰ while CFTR relative expression produced no significant results across time or salinity. Our results suggest that Gulf killifish have physiological difficulties with osmoregulation at a salinity of 0.5‰ and that this leads to reduced growth performance and survival while salinities in the 5.0-12.0‰ are adequate for normal function.     

A critical analysis of transepithelial potential in intact killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) subjected to acute and chronic changes in salinity

We investigated the in vivo salinity-dependent behavior of transepithelial potential (TEP) in Fundulus heteroclitus (3-9 g) using indwelling coelomic catheters, a technique which was validated against blood catheter measurements in a larger species (Opsanus beta; 35-70 g). In seawater (SW)-acclimated killifish, TEP was +23 mV (inside positive), but changed to -39 mV immediately after transfer to freshwater (FW). Acute transfer to dilute salinities produced a TEP profile, which rapidly attenuated as salinity increased (0, 2.5, 5 and 10% SW), with cross-over to positive values between 20 and 40% SW, and a linear increase thereafter (60, 80 and 100% SW). TEP response profiles were also recorded after acute transfer to comparable dilutions of 500 mmol L(-1) NaCl, NaNO3, Na gluconate, choline chloride, N-methyl-D-glutamate (NMDG) chloride, or 1,100 mosmol kg(-1) mannitol. These indicated high non-specific cation permeability and low non-specific anion permeability without influence of osmolality in SW-acclimated killifish. While there was a small electrogenic component in high salinity, a Na+ diffusion potential predominated at all salinities due to the low P Cl/P Na (0.23) of the gills. The very negative TEP in FW was attenuated in a linear fashion by log elevations in [Ca2+] such that P Cl/P Na increased to 0.73 at 10 mmol L(-1). SW levels of [K+] or [Mg2+] also increased the TEP, but none of these cations alone restored the positive TEP of SW-acclimated killifish. The very negative TEP in FW attenuated over the first 12 h of exposure and by 24-30 h reached +3 mV, representative of long-term FW-acclimated animals; this reflected a progressive increase in P Cl/P Na from 0.23 to 1.30, probably associated with closing of the paracellular shunt pathway. Thereafter, the TEP in FW-acclimated killifish was unresponsive to [Ca2+] (also to [K+], [Mg2+], or chloride salts of choline and NMDG), but became more positive at SW levels of [Na+]. Killifish live in a variable salinity environment and are incapable of gill Cl(-) uptake in FW. We conclude that the adaptive significance of the TEP patterns is that changeover to a very negative TEP in FW will immediately limit Na+ loss while not interfering with active Cl(-) uptake because there is none. Keeping the shunt permeability high for a few hours means that killifish can return to SW and instantaneously re-activate their NaCl excretion mechanism.     

Physiological response in the European flounder (Platichthys flesus) to variable salinity and oxygen conditions

Physiological mechanisms involved in acclimation to variable salinity and oxygen levels and their interaction were studied in European flounder. The fish were acclimated for 2 weeks to freshwater (1 per thousand salinity), brackish water (11 per thousand) or full strength seawater (35 per thousand) under normoxic conditions (water Po(2) = 158 mmHg) and then subjected to 48 h of continued normoxia or hypoxia at a level (Po(2) = 54 mmHg) close to but above the critical Po(2). Plasma osmolality, [Na(+)] and [Cl(-)] increased with increasing salinity, but the rises were limited, reflecting an effective extracellular osmoregulation. Muscle water content was the same at all three salinities, indicating complete cell volume regulation. Gill Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity did not change with salinity, but hypoxia caused a 25% decrease in branchial Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity at all three salinities. Furthermore, hypoxia induced a significant decrease in mRNA levels of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1-subunit, signifying a reduced expression of the transporter gene. The reduced ATPase activity did not influence extracellular ionic concentrations. Blood [Hb] was stable with salinity, and it was not increased by hypoxia. Instead, hypoxia decreased the erythrocytic nucleoside triphosphate content, a common mechanism for increasing blood O(2) affinity. It is concluded that moderate hypoxia induced an energy saving decrease in branchial Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity, which did not compromise extracellular osmoregulation.