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Journal of Experimental Biology 161,201-215 (1991)
Published by Company of Biologists 1991

Acid-Base Regulation in the Atlantic Hagfish Myxine Glutinosa

D. G. McDONALD ¹, V. CAVDEK ¹, L. CALVERT ¹, and C. L. MLLLIGAN ²

¹ Huntsman Marine Science Centre, St Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada; Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 4K1
² Huntsman Marine Science Centre, St Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada; Department of Zoology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Blood acid-base status and net transfers of acidic equivalents to the external environment were studied in hagfish, Myxine glutinosa, infused with ammonium sulphate (4mequivkg^-1 NH₄⁺) or with sulphuric acid (3mequiv kg^-1 H⁺). Hagfish extracellular fluids (ECF) play a greater role in acid-base regulation than in teleosts. This is because hagfish have a much larger blood volume relative to teleosts, despite a relatively low blood buffering capacity. Consequently, infusion of ammonium sulphate produced only half of the acidosis produced in marine teleosts in comparable studies, and hagfish readily tolerated a threefold greater direct H⁺ load. Furthermore, the H⁺ load was largely retained and buffered in the extracellular space. Despite smaller acid-base disturbances, rates of net H⁺ excretion to the external environment were, nonetheless, comparable to those of marine teleosts, and net acid excretion persisted until blood acid-base disturbances were corrected. We conclude that the gills of the hagfish are at least as competent for acid-base regulation as those of marine teleosts. The nature of the H⁺ excretion mechanism is discussed.

Key words: acid-base regulation, gills, hagfish, Myxine glutinosa

Accepted on July 10, 1991

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