Permeability of the Isolated Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Chorion to Ions as Estimated by Diffusion Potentials

Abstract

The properties of the teleost chorion and perivitelline fluid may allow the embryo to develop in an ionic medium which differs from ambient. A knowledge of these properties facilitates assessment of the potential impact of environmental perturbations (e.g. low-pH episodes) on the developing embryo. Diffusion potentials are created when differing concentrations of a salt solution are imposed upon the opposite sides of isolated Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) chorions. These diffusion potentials are related to the mobilities of the cations and anions. The magnitude of the diffusion potentials were measured with NaCl, CaC2, H2SO4, and HCl solutions. The results indicate that both anions and cations permeate the chorion. Chloride appears to have greater mobility through the chorion than does sodium, although the difference in mobility of such ion pairs moving through the chorion is not as great as the difference in their mobilities in aqueous solution. Diffusion potentials obtained with CaCl2solutions, on the other hand, indicate reduced calcium mobility through the chorion relative to chloride. The decreased mobility of Ca2+is probably due to adsorption to fixed negative charges on the chorion. The properties of the perivitelline potential of the intact egg could be simulated qualitatively by placing a solution of negatively charged colloid (hen's egg albumin) inside the isolated chorion.