DDT: Disrupted Osmoregulatory Events in the Intestine of the Eel Anguilla rostrata Adapted to Seawater

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Abstract
The drinking of seawater and absorption of water along with sodium across the intestinal epithelium are well-known osmoregulatory events in marine teleosts. The insecticide DDT impairs fluid absorption in intestinal sacs from eels adapted to seawater. Furthermore, this functional impairment has an enzymatic basis; DDT also inhibits the (Na+ and K+) activated, Mg2+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase in homogenates of the intestinal mucosa. Thus, the extreme sensitivity of teleosts to organochlorine pollutants may involve the disruption of osmoregulatory transport mechanisms.