Larval rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were reared from hatch under control ([Na(+)]=0.60 mmol l(-1)) or high NaCl ([Na(+)]=60 mmol l(-1)) conditions to elucidate the driving force for the ontogeny of branchial Na(+)/NH4 (+) exchange, one of the earliest gill functions. We hypothesized that if Na(+) uptake is the driving force, then in high NaCl there would be a delay in the skin-to-gill sh...

The excretion of nitrogenous waste products in the form of ammonia (NH3) and ammonium (NH4 (+)) is a fundamental process in aquatic organisms. For mytilid bivalves, little is known about the mechanisms and sites of excretion. This study investigated the localization and the mechanisms of ammonia excretion in mytilid mussels. An Rh protein was found to be abundantly expressed in the apical cell ...

In contrast to terrestrial animals most aquatic species can be characterized by relatively higher blood [Formula: see text] concentrations despite its potential toxicity to the central nervous system. Although many aquatic species excrete [Formula: see text] via specialized epithelia little information is available regarding the mechanistic basis for NH3/[Formula: see text] homeostasis in mollu...

The role of the gastrointestinal tract as a major source of blood ammonia has been extensively studied in animals and in patients with liver disease. Less information is available concerning the relative contribution to the blood ammonia by other organs, such as muscle, liver, brain and kidney, which are known to be concerned with ammonia metabolism (1). The renal release of ammonia into the sy...

Nitrogenous excretion by the terrestrial anomuran crab Birgus latro L. was examined. The main excretory product was uric acid, representing 79-5 % of total excretory nitrogen. It was eliminated as white faeces separate from undigested food material and made up 82-6% of excretory faecal nitrogen. The faeces were the principal route of nitrogenous excretion, accounting for 96-2% of total excretio...

The crustacean gill is a multi-functional organ, and it is the site of a number of physiological processes, including ion transport, which is the basis for hemolymph osmoregulation; acid-base balance; and ammonia excretion. The gill is also the site by which many toxic metals are taken up by aquatic crustaceans, and thus it plays an important role in the toxicology of these species. This review...

The presence of pollutants in the ocean may affect different physiological parameters of animals. Oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion were evaluated in D-shaped larvae of mussels (Perna perna) exposed to zinc sulphate (ZnSO(4)) and benzene (C(6)H(6)). When compared to the control group, both pollutants presented a significant reduction in oxygen consumption. A reduction in the ammonia excr...