EFFECTS OF FRESHWATER ADAPTATION AND OF PROLACTIN ON SODIUM-POTASSIUMACTIVATED ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN THE URINARY BLADDER OF TWO FLOUNDER SPECIES
SUMMARY: Sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na-K-ATPase) activity increased in the urinary bladder of the euryhaline teleost Platichthys stellatus after transfer from sea-water to fresh water. This increase also occurred after injection of prolactin into seawater Platichthys, simulating the results of freshwater transfer. In Kareius bicoloratus, which does not survive transfer to fresh water, prolactin does not increase bladder Na-K-ATPase activity. The differences in response of these two species to prolactin may be related to the degree of their euryhalinity. There may be a relationship between adaptability to fresh water and responsiveness of bladder Na-K-ATPase to prolactin.