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Control of ion transport by the sperm duct epithelium of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

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Abstract

The sperm duct epithelium of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), mountedin vitro in Ussing-style epithelial chambers actively absorbs Na+ (measured as the short-circuit current, Isc) and secretes K+ (measured using86Rb+ as tracer). Dibutyryl-cyclic-adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IMX) produce a rapid, sustained stimulation of both ion transport processes, but the hormone connected to the response is unknown. Purified sockeye salmon CON A2 gonadotropin (GtH) produces a dose-dependent, rapid and sustained rise in Na+ uptake and K+ secretion. The time course, electrophysiological and transport characteristics are similar to those evoked by IMX. Carbohydrate-poor (chum salmon CON A1) GtH is ineffective. Pretreatment of fish with 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α,20β-P) significantly increases milt volume but is without effect on resting or stimulated (IMX + db-cAMP) levels of sperm duct ion transport. This is the first indication of a direct, rapid action of GtH on ion transport by the vertebrate blood-testis barrier. The results suggest direct involvement of GtH in control of later stages of sperm maturation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS

    William S. Marshall & Sharon E. Bryson

  2. Marine Sciences Research Laboratory, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NF, Canada

    David R. Idler

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  1. William S. Marshall
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  2. Sharon E. Bryson
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  3. David R. Idler
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Marshall, W.S., Bryson, S.E. & Idler, D.R. Control of ion transport by the sperm duct epithelium of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Fish Physiol Biochem 7, 331–336 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004725

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004725

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