Kinetic characteristics of the sodium uptake mechanism during the development of embryos and fry of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in an improved water quality

Abstract

The kinetics of active sodium uptake in dechorionated embryos, yolk‐sac fry and start‐feed fry of Atlantic salmon were compared in two groups reared either in low conductivity, untreated, river water (conductivity ∼ 46 μS cm−1, pH 5.75), or in ‘improved’ river water buffered with sea water (conductivity ∼2200 μS cm 1, pH 6.56), the latter treatment often being used in commercial hatcheries to avoid problems associated with periodic acidification.Maximal transport rate (Vmax) increased during development in both groups but was always significantly higher in embryos and fry maintained in untreated river water. Values for Km were not seen to vary during development up to 12 weeks after hatching and were not significantly different between groups, or from values reported for adult Atlantic salmon in fresh water.The results are discussed with respect to the influence of Na+ concentrations in the perivitelline fluid of developing eggs and in the external medium surrounding fry on Vmax and Km. The ability of fry reared entirely in buffered river water to maintain sodium balance following transfer to untreated river water is also considered.