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Journal of Experimental Biology 105,107-125 (1983)
Published by Company of Biologists 1983


Studies of Ammonia in the Rainbow Trout:Physico-chemical Parameters, Acid-Base Behaviour and Respiratory Clearance

JAMES N. CAMERON 1 and NORBERT HEISLER 2

1 The University of Texas at Austin, Port Aransas Marine Laboratory Port Aransas, Texas 78373, U.S.A.
2 Max-Planck-Institut für experimentelle Medizin, Abteilung Physiologie Hermann-Rein-Strasse-3, D-3400 Göttingen, F.H.G.

Ammonia (NH3) is only slightly more soluble (+3.4%) in the plasma of rainbow trout than in water, and its pK' is only 0.14 units higher than in fresh water at 15 °C. Determination of these physico-chemical parameters together with measurements of blood and water pH and total ammonia concentrations allowed calculation of the mean resting partial pressure gradient across the gills (54 x 10-6Torr) and estimation of the gill permeability coefficient (D = 1.3 x 10-5cm-1). Under normal resting conditions of low external NH3 and pH, diffusive movement of NH3 appears to account adequately for ammonia excretion in the rainbow trout; 90 ± 10% of the excreted ammonia appears to originate from the blood, rather than from de novo synthesis of ammonia in the gills. During the high external ammonia treatments, the fish reached a steady state with a net inward ammonia gradient, which could be accounted for by a counter-balancing Na+/NH4+ exchange. Ammonium salt infusions or injections which stimulate Na+ influx are not sufficient demonstrations of Na+/NH4+ exchange, since acidosis is produced, and alternate interpretations of the Na+ flux stimulation are possible, such as enhanced Na+/H+ exchange.

Key words: Fish, ammonia, excretion

Submitted on November 4, 1982
Accepted on March 9, 1983




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