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Journal of Experimental Biology 92,173-186 (1981)
Published by Company of Biologists 1981

Na⁺ Fluxes Across Isolated Perfused Gills of the Chinese Crab Eriocheir Sinensis

A. PEQUEUX ¹ and R. GILLES ²

¹ Laboratory of Animal Physiology, University of Liège, 22 Quai Van Beneden, B-4020 Liège, Belgium
² Laboratory of Animal Physiology, University of Liège 22 Quai Van Beneden, B-4020 Liège, Belgium

Sodium transport processes in the branchial epithelium of euryhaline crustaceans have been investigated using a perfused preparation of gills isolated from Chinese crabs Eriocheir sinensis acclimated to dilute (FW) and to concentrated (SW) media.

The results clearly establish the existence of a functional difference between the different pairs of branchiae with respect to their participation in the regulation of the blood Na⁺ content.

In FW-acclimated animals, the Na⁺ active uptake which counter-balances the salt loss along the concentration gradient is mostly achieved across the three posterior pairs of gills. Conversely, the Na⁺ fluxes measured in the three anterior pairs are essentially passive and carrier-mediated.

Further characterization of the Na⁺ uptake system present in the posterior gills by means of inhibitors like ouabain and ethacrynic acid indicates the existence of at least two spatially separated components of the Na⁺ carrying system.

It is shown that NH₄⁺ may be used as co-ion for Na⁺ but that such a coupling can only account for a very small part of the Na⁺ actively transported inward. The existence of an electrogenic mechanism or of another coupled system has thus to be postulated but remains at present a matter of speculation.

To study FW-to-SW and SW-to-FW acclimation, Na⁺ fluxes were measured in isolated gills of SW-acclimated crabs and of FW crabs perfused and incubated in SW conditions.

During acclimation to SW the Na⁺ active uptake in the posterior gills is abolished primarily as a result of inhibition of the Na⁺ carrier activity.

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