SECRETION OF NITROGEN INTO THE SWIMBLADDER OF FISH. I. SECRETION BY FISHES NEARLY LACKING CIRCULATING HEMOGLOBIN. ROLE OF THE RETE MIRABILE

Abstract

Toadfish (Opsanus tau) essentially lacking circulating erythrocytes were pre pared by repeated exchange transfusion with serum. The rate of nitrogen secretion is not changed by removal of the erythrocytes. Oxygen secretion is slowed dras tically. This shows that nitrogen secretion does not require erythrocytes and is not driven by oxygen secretion. In the absence of circulating erythrocytes, oxygen and nitrogen are brought into the swimbladder in proportion to their concentrations in blood plasma. Carbon dioxide partial pressure in the secreted gas mixture is three to fourfold greater than the pressure generated by acidifying arterial blood. This implies counter-current multiplication of the small increment of carbon dioxide pressure brought about by acidification of the blood. In the presence of blood buffers, increased carbon dioxide pressure will increase blood bicarbonate. Three independent estimates indicate that, during gas secretion, gas gland blood is near pH 6.5. Total carbon dioxide (CO2, HCO3, CO3) is increased from the arterial value near 2 mM to about 14 mM, divided nearly equally between carbon dioxide and bicarbonate anion. The increment in total blood carbon dioxide concentration together with the well-known increment in lactate anion may serve to salt out inert gases from solution in blood plasma.