Electrolyte Movement in the Isolated Midgut of the Cockroach (Periplaneta Americana L.)

Abstract

1. The perfused cockroach midgut ventriculus in vitro maintains a p.d. of approximately 12mV. (lumen negative to haemolymph) in chloride Ringer. The p.d. comprises chiefly a lumen-side Na diffusion potential and a haemolymph-side K diffusion potential. 2. The size of the p.d. is greatly enhanced in sulphate Ringer, but reduced by various metabolic inhibitors, e.g. N₂ and 2,4-dinitrophenol. Ouabain inhibits the p.d. from the haemolymph side but is ineffective on the lumen side. 3. The ventriculus preparation also exhibits a net Na efflux of approximately 0.3µ-equiv./hr. Ouabain inhibits Na efflux by almost 55% and K influx by less than 40%. 4. It is suggested that a linked Na-K pump is indirectly responsible for the p.d. and directly involved in the Na transport into the haemolymph.