PROSTAGLANDIN-E2 INHIBITION OF SODIUM-TRANSPORT IN THE FRESHWATER MUSSEL

Ligumia subrostrata (Say) will maintain a steady state for Na when acclimated to an artificial pondwater. Prostaglandin E2 (0.6 μM/g dry tissue) injected into the blood cause an 80% reduction of Na influx and the animals experience a net loss of Na. Injections of indomethacin (0.1 μM/g dry tissue), a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, cause a doubling of Na influx relative to control animals. Prostaglandin‐like material can be extracted from the blood of L. subrostrata and may be a component of the endocrine control of ion regulation in freshwater bivalves. Copyright © 1979 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company