Effect of prolonged saline-exposure on sodium transport across frog skin

Abstract

1. Differences in Na transport between skins from Rana temporaria and R. esculenta maintained for up to several weeks in water or 0.7% saline (0.7 g NaCl in 100 ml. H(2)O), with and without daily injections of 4% saline (4 g NaCl in 100 ml. H(2)O), were measured, in vitro.2. In saline-treated skins, the following changes were found:(a) An increased Na content.(b) A consistent decrease in short-circuit current (I(sc)).(c) An increased d.c. resistance, R, the consistency of which varied with the anion content of the Ringer solution.(d) A highly significant fall in Na influx, accounting for the reduced I(sc); a small reduction in Na efflux was not significant, statistically.(e) The Pitressin-induced increment in I(sc) was usually considerably lower compared with that in water-exposed skins; considered relative to the pre-Pitressin values, however, there were no clear differences.(f) By calculation from the changes in resistance (R) caused by replacement of outer Na(2)SO(4) Ringer by K(2)SO(4) Ringer solution,I. E(0), the electromotive force of the active sodium transport system, was moderately, but significantly, reduced,II. R(shunt), the shunt path resistance, was moderately, but significantly, increased, andIII. R(ser), the series path resistance, was considerably, and highly significantly, increased.(g) K influx from outer K(2)SO(4) Ringer solution was reduced.3. Differences between skins from water-exposed and saline-treated frogs persisted, in vitro, despite the occurrence of anionic-dependent acute changes after mounting in Ringer solution.4. There were seasonal changes in I(sc), and in the effects of saline treatment.5. The findings are discussed in terms of decreased permeability of outer barriers to ion-diffusion, and reduced activity of a Na pump.