The Effect of Salt Adaptation and Amiloride on the In Vivo Acid-Base Status of the Euryhaline Toad Bufo Viridis
1. The acid-base status of the blood of the toad Bufo viridis was studied during adaptation to high salinity and in tap water containing amiloride. 2. Both salt adaptation and immersion for 2-3 days in 5 x10−4 M amiloride in tap water resulted in a decrease in blood pH (from 7.720 ± 0.026 in tap water to 7.456±0.051 in 500 mOsm NaCl-adapted toads; mean ± S.E.), and a simultaneous decrease in the concentration of HCO3- (from 17.8 ±1.4 in tap water to 9.5±1.2 in salt-adapted toads). 3. In vitro determination of Na+/H+ exchange across the skin showed a 1:1 relation in skins from tap-water-adapted toads; this exchange was inhibited by amiloride. H+ secretion was abolished in skins from salt-adapted toads and the uptake of sodium was reduced.