Skin morphology and function in Xenopus laevis exposed to a saline environment for up to one week

This study evaluated the skin adaptation response in Xenopus laevis to short- and medium-term stays (24 h, 48 h, 7 days) in brackish water. Morphological, histochemical, histoenzymological (alkaline phosphatase, carbonic anhydrase) and electrophysiological (short-circuit current, resistance) characteristics were examined. The results show that animals adapt to brackish water, implementing a variety of short and medium-term morphofunctional modifications of the epidermis and skin glands. These modifications form part of the defence mechanisms needed to protect the animal from an excess increase in the saline concentration of internal fluids.