Asymmetrical permeability of the integument of tree frogs (Hylidae)

The skin from four species of North American tree frogs (Hylidae) was found in vitro, to be remarkably permeable to water in the presence or absence of the neurohypophysial hormone vasotocin. This property was, however, only seen in preparations from the ventral integument; osmotic water movement across the dorsal skin was negligible. The ionic permeability, reflected by the electrical resistance, was also much greater in the ventral skin. Unidirectional fluxes of 22Na, 36Cl, 14C-urea and tritiated water were measured in vitro in a single species, Agalychnis dacnicolor Cope. The ventral skin was 10-20 times more permeable to these molecules than the dorsal skin. The short-circuit current (usually reflecting active transmural Na transport) across the ventral skin was increased by aldosterone and vasotocin but these responses were absent on the dorsal side. The lipid content of the dorsal skin was four times greater than that on the ventral surface.