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Amiloride-sensitive rheogenic Na+ transport in rabbit blastocyst

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Abstract

FLUID and solutes accumulate in the blastocyst just before implantation by transport mechanisms associated with the trophectoderm1–3. This structure is a simple squamous epithelium that surrounds the embryo, and it is the first tissue to develop in the mammalian embryo4. We describe here electrophysiological experiments which demonstrate changes in transport functions of this epithelium in the rabbit a few hours before, the expected time of implantation. At this time fluid is accumulating rapidly in the blastocoele5. The following results show that between 6 and 7-d post-coitum (p.c.) a transtrophectodermal, rheogenic, amiloride-sensitive Na+ transport system develops. The term ‘rheogenic’ characterises non-neutral or current-generating transport process, as opposed to the term ‘electrogenic’ which is more general and characterises any process (diffusion potentials, electrokinetic phenomena, and/or rheogenic transport) which results in a change in potential across an epithelium6.

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Author notes

  1. R. DOUGLAS POWERS

    Present address: Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 02167

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Laboratory of Human Reproduction and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, 45 Shattuck Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115

    R. DOUGLAS POWERS, R. MICHAEL BORLAND & JOHN D. BIGGERS

Authors
  1. R. DOUGLAS POWERS
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  2. R. MICHAEL BORLAND
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  3. JOHN D. BIGGERS
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POWERS, R., BORLAND, R. & BIGGERS, J. Amiloride-sensitive rheogenic Na+ transport in rabbit blastocyst. Nature 270, 603–604 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/270603a0

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