The relation of Na and Cl extrusion in Opsanus beta, the Gulf toadfish, acclimated to seawater

A model has been proposed by Silva et al. ('77) to describe the manner by which Cl extrusion occurs across the gills of the eel and seawater fish in general. Aspects of the model include (1) passive distribution of Na across the gill surface, and (2) Cl extrusion dependent on Na-K-ATPase and thus dependent on the transport of Na. In order to test various aspects of this model, we examined, using the appropriate radiotracers, the relationship of Na and Cl efflux in the gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta. The model of Silva et al. does not apply to the toadfish because (1) Na cannot be passively distributed across the gills of the toadfish, because the transepithelial potential is several millivolts negative with respect to seawater, and (2) Cl efflux (unlike Na efflux) is not dependent on external K. Additionally, Cl efflux is dependent on the seawater Na concentration, and both Na and Cl efflux are dependent on seawater HCO3. Thus Na and Cl efflux appear to be linked in the toadfish, but not as proposed in the model suggested by Silva et al.