Response of rainbow trout gill (Na(+)+K (+))-ATPase and chloride cells to T 3 and NaCl administration

With the aim of comparing the effects of oral T3 and NaCl administration on trout hypoosmoregulatory mechanisms, three groups of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) held in freshwater (FW) were fed a basal diet (C), the same diet containing 8.83 ppm of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) (T) or 10% (w/w) NaCl (N) respectively for 30 d. They were then transferred to brackish water (BW) for 22 d and fed on diet C. Gill (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase activity and its dependence on ATP, Na(+) and pH, number of gill chloride cells (CC), serum T3 level as well as fish growth, condition factor (K) and mortality were evaluated. During the FW phase, as compared to C trout, T trout showed a two fold higher serum T3 level, had unchanged gill (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase activity and increased CC number, whereas N trout showed higher gill (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase activity and CC number. At the end of the experiment the enzyme activity was in the order T>N>C groups and all groups showed similar CC number. Both treatments changed the enzyme activation kinetics by ATP and Na(+). A transient increase in K value occurred in N group during the period of salt administration. In BW, T and N groups had higher and lower survival than C group respectively. Other parameters were unaffected by the treatments. This trial suggests that T3 administration promotes the development of hypoosmoregulatory mechanisms of trout but it leaves the (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase activity unaltered till the transfer to a hyperosmotic environment.