Depression of sodium, chloride and calcium ions in the plasma of goldfish (Carassius auratus) and immature freshwater- and seawater-adapted eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) after acute administration of salmon calcitonin.

Goldfish showed a significant reduction in their plasma sodium and calcium levels 1 h after receiving 50 i.u. calcitonin per kg body weight. When 100 i.u. calcitonin were injected there was a significant fall in circulating levels of both sodium and calcium and also of chloride ions compared with those found in untreated control animals. Administration of calcitonin to immature eels adapted to either freshwater or seawater conditions showed no significant change in plasma ion composition at doses of 10 i.u. per kg body weight or less. However, doses of 50 and 100 i.u. caused significant reductions in plasma sodium, chloride and calcium ion levels compared with sham-injected control animals. When immature eels were given 100 i.u. calcitonin per kg body weight there were significant reductions in the plasma levels of sodium, chloride and calcium ions but the timing of these changes was slightly different. In freshwater-adapted eels, the depression of plasma sodium was seen after 30 min and lasted for up to 2 h, whilst depression of plasma chloride and calcium was not seen until 1 h after injection. In addition, whilst the lowering of plasma chloride ions lasted up to 2 h after injection, the plasma calcium had returned to the preinjection control level by this time. In seawater-adapted eels the depression of sodium, chloride and calcium levels was seen at 30 min and the effect continued for up to 2 h after injection when the depression was no longer apparent.