Studies on the effect of air exposure on gill Na+/K+-ATPase of the marble goby, Oxyeleotris marmorata, a facultative air-breathing fish

Abstract

Gill and liver microsomal Na+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities, body weight, and several blood parameters were measured in marble gobies held in freshwater, in air on wet filter paper for 7 days and three days after return to freshwater following 7 days in air. During the 7 days in air, body weight, and blood Na+ and K+ concentrations remained unchanged. During the same period, however, mean specific activity of the gill ATPase fell 79% while liver ATPase specific activity was unchanged. When these fish were returned to water the specific activity of the gill ATPase returned to values seen in freshwater gobies within 3 days. Several changes were also noted in the characteristics of the ATPase in the fish held in air. © 1988 Kugler Publication.