Plasma Chloride and Sodium, and Chloride Space in the European Eel, Anguilla Anguilla L

Abstract

1. New intra-vascular cannulation techniques are described, and also an extra-corporal blood circuit containing an artificial heart and a counting cell. This makes possible a continuous study of the radioactivity of the blood. 2. Plasma chloride concentration varies greatly in fresh-water eels despite good sodium regulation. 3. The fresh-water to sea-water adaptation of eels is frequently accompanied by a temporary hypermineralization of the internal medium. This necessitates a high degree of cellular euryhalinity. 4. The sea-water-adapted eel maintains strict homeostasis of its plasma chloride and sodium. 5. The chloride distribution space decreases by 10% when eels are transferred from fresh water to sea water. The internal distribution of chloride is also modified and its fluxes between the ion compartments of the body are considerably increased.