6. ADRENAL STEROIDS AND ACTH
359
Chan et al., 1967b). Although muscle water increased, the extracellular
fluid space in the muscle decreased owing to shifts of water from this
compartment into the cells (Table VII). Muscle sodium content declined
while that of calcium rose. In the seawater eel, removal of the corpuscles
caused increased plasma sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium
concentrations, with a slight reduction in muscle water. The tissue electrolyte concentrations were all elevated (D. K. 0. Chan et al., 1W).
The above changes occurred over a period of several weeks. If the
time course of such changes is followed, an interesting pattern emerges.
In both freshwater and seawater eels the rise in plasma calcium concentration, the rise in muscle calcium content, and the decline in plasma
inorganic phosphate concentration were all only transient phenomena.
The maximum changes occurred between the first and second week
following surgery. Thereafter the values gradually returned to normal
after about 6 weeks (D. K. 0. Chan et al., 196713; Fontaine, 1967; D. K. 0.
Chan, 1968; Fig. 10). The initial rise in plasma calcium was found to
(b)
3
4
5
6
Weeks after operation
Fig. 10. Changes in calcium and inorganic phosphate in the plasma of the freshwater eel, Anguillu anguiUa ( a ) and A. japonica ( b ) , following removal of corpuscles
of Stannius: a time-course study. D. K. 0. Chan (1968).
359
Chan et al., 1967b). Although muscle water increased, the extracellular
fluid space in the muscle decreased owing to shifts of water from this
compartment into the cells (Table VII). Muscle sodium content declined
while that of calcium rose. In the seawater eel, removal of the corpuscles
caused increased plasma sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium
concentrations, with a slight reduction in muscle water. The tissue electrolyte concentrations were all elevated (D. K. 0. Chan et al., 1W).
The above changes occurred over a period of several weeks. If the
time course of such changes is followed, an interesting pattern emerges.
In both freshwater and seawater eels the rise in plasma calcium concentration, the rise in muscle calcium content, and the decline in plasma
inorganic phosphate concentration were all only transient phenomena.
The maximum changes occurred between the first and second week
following surgery. Thereafter the values gradually returned to normal
after about 6 weeks (D. K. 0. Chan et al., 196713; Fontaine, 1967; D. K. 0.
Chan, 1968; Fig. 10). The initial rise in plasma calcium was found to
(b)
3
4
5
6
Weeks after operation
Fig. 10. Changes in calcium and inorganic phosphate in the plasma of the freshwater eel, Anguillu anguiUa ( a ) and A. japonica ( b ) , following removal of corpuscles
of Stannius: a time-course study. D. K. 0. Chan (1968).