Morphological changes and variations in Na+/K+-ATPase activity in the gills of juvenile large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) at low salinity

Guangliang Teng; Weiqing Huang; Chenglong Ji; Yunlong Chen; Xiujuan Shan

Aquaculture and Fisheries (May 2022)

Morphological changes and variations in Na+/K+-ATPase activity in the gills of juvenile large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) at low salinity

Guangliang Teng,
Weiqing Huang,
Chenglong Ji,
Yunlong Chen,
Xiujuan Shan

Affiliations

Guangliang Teng: College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Qingdao, 266071, China
Weiqing Huang: College of Life Science, Ningde Normal University, Ningde, 352100, China; Ningde Dingcheng Fishery Company Limited, Ningde, 352000, China
Chenglong Ji: Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China
Yunlong Chen: Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266237, China; Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Qingdao, 266071, China
Xiujuan Shan: Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266237, China; Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Qingdao, 266071, China; Corresponding author. 106 Nanjing Road, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Qingdao, 266071, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 7, no. 3
pp. 313 – 320

Abstract

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Gill morphological changes and physiological responses in juvenile large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) were examined upon exposure to low salinity after indoor culture of the fish at salinities of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24‰ (control group). The thickness of the lamellae was significantly higher in the low-salinity groups than in the control group; in contrast, the interlamellar space was significantly lower in the low-salinity groups than in the control group. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was found between the thickness of lamellae and interlamellar spaces (P < 0.01). Mitochondria-rich cells (MRCs) were mainly found in the filament at 24‰ salinity and proliferated in the lamellae at lower salinities, suggesting that filament and lamellar MRCs are responsible for ion secretion and absorption, respectively. Meanwhile, the activity of Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) was significantly elevated with the decrease in salinity from 24‰ to 4‰ (P < 0.05), which was consistent with MRCs proliferation. Finally, the activity of NKA declined at 2‰ salinity (P < 0.05), indicating the limit of osmoregulation, which was consistent with the degeneration and necrosis of the lamellae. Additionally, different levels of gill histopathological lesions, including pavement cell (PVC) exfoliation, lamellar epithelial lifting, edema, fusion, aneurism, and necrosis, were observed from salinities of 24 to 4‰, likely reducing the respiratory efficiency and compromising the health of juvenile fish. In conclusion, large yellow croaker juveniles could improve the osmoregulatory capacity by increasing lamellar MRCs and NKA activity with the decrease in salinity from 24 to 4‰. However, the associated histopathological lesions are likely to negatively influence the fish by affecting respiration and osmoregulation, especially when the salinity is below 4‰.

Published in Aquaculture and Fisheries

ISSN: 2468-550X (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/aquaculture-and-fisheries

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