Plasma Ion Levels Research Articles

Electrolyte metabolism in the hibernating hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus)

1. 1. The plasma calcium and magnesium were increased by 7 per cent and 23–52 per cent respectively, while potassium and sodium levels were unchanged in hibernation. 2. 2. Plasma protein concentration and haematocrit, and water content of some tissues were unaltered, suggesting no major water shifts in hibernation. 3. 3. The changes in the cation levels of the twelve tissues analysed were varied and no trend was observed for a particular ion. 4. 4. Although there were absolute changes in the plasma and tissue ion levels the majority of the ionic gradients across the cells of the various tissues were maintained during hibernation.

The effect of cycling temperatures on electrolyte balance in skeletal muscle and plasma or rainbow trout salmo gairdneri

1. 1. Rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri ( 1 1 2 yr old ), were acclimated to a daily temperature cycle ranging from 8 to 18°C. 2. 2. Control fish were maintained at constant temperatures which coincided with sample temperatures of the cycling fish. 3. 3. Sodium, potassium, chloride and water were measured in the plasma and muscle of all the fish. 4. 4. In most cases the plasma ion levels in the cycling fish did not exceeded those levels of the control fish which were held at low temperatures (8–10°C). 5. 5. There was a highly significant inverse relationship between the muscle potassium and the muscle sodium levels in the cycling fish.