In vivo effect of volume expansion on rectal gland function. I. Humoral factors.

The spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias responds to volume expansion by increasing the rate of chloride secretion by its rectal gland. The response is elicited by intravascular infusion of either isotonic shark Ringer solution, a 1 M hypertonic sodium chloride solution, or an isotonic hyponatremic solution containing equal volumes of shark Ringer solution and 10% mannitol. The effect of volume expansion was evoked in explanted glands connected to a host fish only by the arterial supply, indicating that the response is mediated by a humoral factor. The explanted gland responded to theophylline (2.5 X 10(-3) M) and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (5 X 10(-4) M) by increasing the rate of secretion of chloride by an amount similar to that induced by volume expansion of the perfusing fish. Theophylline at concentrations (10(-6) to 5 X 10(-5) M) that are known to inhibit the effect of adenosine in isolated perfused glands failed to inhibit the effect of volume expansion on explanted glands. Somatostatin (4.5 X 10(-6) M), which inhibits the effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the isolated perfused gland, completely prevented the secretory response to volume expansion in explanted glands. Volume expansion is a major stimulus for chloride secretion by the rectal gland. The effect is mediated by a humoral factor that appears to be VIP.