Physiology of seawater acclimation in the striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum)

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry
By: , and 

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Abstract

Several experiments were performed to investigate the physiology of seawater acclimation in the striped bass, Morone saxatilis. Transfer of fish from fresh water (FW) to seawater (SW; 31–32 ppt) induced only a minimal disturbance of osmotic homeostasis. Ambient salinity did not affect plasma thyroxine, but plasma cortisol remained elevated for 24h after SW transfer. Gill and opercular membrane chloride cell density and Na+,K+-ATPase activity were relatively high and unaffected by salinity. Average chloride cell size, however, was slightly increased (16%) in SW-acclimated fish. Gill succinate dehydrogenase activity was higher in SW-acclimated fish than in FW fish. Kidney Na+, K+-ATPase activity was slightly lower (16%) in SW fish than in FW fish. Posterior intestinal Na+,K+-ATPase activity and water transport capacity (Jv) did not change upon SW transfer, whereas middle intestinal Na+,K+-ATPase activity increased 35% after transfer and was correlated with an increase in Jv (110%). As salinity induced only minor changes in the osmoregulatory organs examined, it is proposed that the intrinsic euryhalinity of the striped bass may be related to a high degree of “preparedness” for hypoosmoregulation that is uncommon among teleosts studied to data.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Physiology of seawater acclimation in the striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum)
Series title Fish Physiology and Biochemistry
DOI 10.1007/BF00004114
Volume 13
Issue 1
Year Published 1994
Language English
Publisher Springer Link
Contributing office(s) Leetown Science Center
Description 11 p.
First page 1
Last page 11
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