Immunohistochemical study on changes in gill Na+/K+-ATPase α-subunit during smoltification in the wild masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou

Changes in immunoreactivity of Na+/K+-ATPase alpha-subunit in gill sections of wild masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) during the parr-smelt transformation (smoltification) were compared with changes in gill Na+/K+-ATPase specific activity. Gill Na+/K+-ATPase specific activity increased from April and peaked in May. Immunohistochemical analysis, using an antiserum against a synthetic oligopeptide based on the conserved region of the Na+/K+-ATPase alpha-subunit, revealed that immunoreactivity was confined to chloride cells in the surface layer of primary lamellae and the proximal end of secondary lamellae. The size and number of these cells increased gradually from February to May; however, the number of chloride cells of the secondary lamellae decreased in May. These data suggest that the synthesis of Na+/K+-ATPase and the proliferation of chloride cells occur prior to the elevation of enzyme activity. Moreover, it is likely the proliferation and hypertrophy of chloride cells on primary lamellae prepare smelts for entry into seawater and migration in the ocean.