Cortisol mediates the increase in intestinal fluid absorption in atlantic salmon during parr-smolt transformation

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1995

Abstract

We have previously shown in Atlantic salmon that the rate of fluid absorption by the posterior intestine (J(v)) is elevated during the smolt stage in spring as a preadaptive development for osmoregulation in seawater. In the present study, we examined developmental differences in the responsiveness of J(v) to cortisol and the corticosteroid antagonist, RU 486, through the parr-smolt transformation. Freshwater, juvenile salmon were administered slow-release implants of cortisol (50 μg/g body wt), RU 486 (1 mg/g body wt), or the implant without steroid (controls) at seven times from November 1992 through June 1993. Seven and 8 days after implantation, plasma cortisol concentrations and in vitro J(v) were measured. In control salmon, both plasma cortisol and J(v) peaked in April and were positively correlated over time. Cortisol implants stimulated J(v) of salmon only during the parr and post-smolt stages, when J(v) of controls was low. The exogenous cortisol was sufficient to stimulate J(v) to a rate comparable to that measured for control salmon in the smolt stage. Conversely, RU 486 implants inhibited J(v) only during the peak smolt period, when J(v) of controls was elevated. Taken together, these results demonstrate that cortisol is a necessary and sufficient endocrine signal mediating this developmental change in intestinal function during pan-smolt transformation. This is the first report of plasma cortisol levels measured in fish treated with RU 486. Plasma cortisol was elevated by RU 486, suggesting that this corticosteroid antagonist blocked feedback inhibition on the pituitary-interrenal axis. © 1995 by Academic Press, Inc.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

General and Comparative Endocrinology

Volume

97

Issue

2

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