Sodium Efflux and Potential Differences across the Irrigated Gill of Sea Water-Adapted Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Sodium extrusion (J_out^Na) was measured across the gills of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, adapted to sea water (SW) using a gill-irrigation system of small volume. The potential difference (TEP) was also measured under similar conditions. J_out^Na was usually between 100–250 µeq (100 g)^–1 h^–1, about an order of magnitude faster than in fresh water (FW)-adapted trout, but slower than has been reported for any other marine teleost. The TEP was between 10–11 mV, body fluids positive to SW. When the external medium was changed from SW to FW J_out^Na was reduced to about 25 % of the initial value, and the TEP was reduced by 40–50 mV (i.e. body fluids negative by 30–40 mV). Addition of either Na⁺ or K⁺ in SW concentrations reversed the changes; J_out^Na increased and the gill repolarized. The electrical behavior and sodium efflux in irrigated trout gill is qualitatively the same as has been reported for unanaesthetized, free-swimming fish of other species. Thus, the irrigated gill provides an adequate model for studying the mechanism of sodium extrusion in marine teleosts.