GILL CALCIUM FLUXES IN THE EEL, ANGUILLA-ANGUILLA (L) - EFFECTS OF STANNIUS CORPUSCLES AND ULTIMOBRANCHIAL BODY

The effects of Stannius corpuscles (SC) or ultimobranchial body (UB) removal and SC extracts or calcitonin (CT) perfusion on gill calcium fluxes were described in eel Anguilla anguilla (L.). The perfusion of isolated gill arches made possible the measurements of bidirectional gill calcium fluxes. 1. 1. SC removal (SCX) enhanced gill calcium influx and decreased outflux. Saline extract of SC (SCSE) elicited a transient influx increase (not significant) and an outflux increase (81%). Methylene chloride extract of SC (SCOE) decreased influx (35%) and promoted a strong outflux increase (240%). 2. 2. Calcium influx of ultimobranchialectomized eels (UBX) was lower than of controls while outflux was unchanged. CT perfusion brought about a decrease in influx (39%) and a marked increase in ouflux (47%) in sham-operated eels, while the influx decrease and the outflux increase were respectively 26 and 80% in UBX. Interrelationships between the effect of UB and SC hormones on gills and serum calcium levels are discussed with regards to the general regulation of calcium metabolism. © 1979.