Hypoosmoregulatory ability of eyed-stage embryos of chum salmon

To evaluate the osmoregulatory ability of eyedstage embryos of laboratory-reared chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, we examined changes in osmolality of the perivitelline fluid and blood following transfer to 50 and 100% seawater (SW), together with morphological changes in chloride cells present in the yolk sac membrane. Transfer to SW did not cause any significant change in the whole egg weight. However, the embryos shrank when the eggs were transferred to SW, whereas the perivitelline space increased at the expense of the embryo. Osmolality of the perivitelline fluid increased rapidly to reach environmental levels 3 h after transfer, indicating that the egg shell is permeable to ions and water. Blood osmolality increased after transfer to SW, reached a peak level at 3 h, and then decreased gradually. The chloride cells in the yolk sac membrane became activated following transfer, as shown by increased cell size and frequent appearance of apical openings. These results indicate that the eyed-stage embryos of chum salmon possess hypoosmoregulatory ability and that chloride cells in the yolk sac membrane may be involved in salt extrusion, in place of gill chloride cells, during the late embryonic stage.