THE EFFECTS OF IONIC CHANGES ON WATER TRANSFER ACROSS THE ISOLATED URINARY BLADDER OF THE TOAD BUFO MARINUS

Abstract

SUMMARY 1. The effects of ionic changes in the bath fluids on water transfer across an in vitro preparation of the urinary bladder of the toad Bufo marinus were investigated. 2. Calcium was necessary to maintain the normal low permeability of the bladder to water in the absence of Pituitrin. Magnesium, strontium and manganese but not barium could substitute for calcium. 3. With low concentration of calcium there was a reduction in the water transfer across the bladder wall in response to Pituitrin and no other divalent ion could substitute for calcium. 4. Exclusion of potassium from the serosal side of the bladder reduced the water transfer in the presence of Pituitrin. Increase in potassium concentration above normal levels also inhibited the response to hormone. When no Pituitrin was present there was no change in water loss from the bladder with alterations in potassium concentration. Absence of potassium from the epithelial side of the bladder had no effect whether Pituitrin was present or not. 5. The presence of sodium on the epithelial side increased the water transfer in response to Pituitrin and neither lithium, choline nor potassium could substitute for it. Replacement of 50% of the sodium chloride on the serosal side of the bladder by choline chloride decreased the water transfer in response to Pituitrin.