Effects of metamorphosis on water permeability of skin in the salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum

1987; Elsevier BV; Volume: 86; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0300-9629(87)90519-6

ISSN

0300-9629

Autores

William R. Galey, Stephen C. Wood, Victor Mancha,

Tópico(s)

Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery

Resumo

1. Developmentally associated changes in the pressure driven water permeability of the skin of the salamander Ambystoma tigrinum were measured at 20°C in neotenic (gilled), transitional, and fully transformed adults. 2. Mean values for the hydraulic conductivity of the skin (Lp, × 10−5cm.sec−1.ATM−1) were, respectively, 1.54, 0.54 and 0.13. 3. This nearly 12-fold decrease in the H2O permeability coincides with the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life and may be related to the changing role of the skin in water conservation. 4. The increase in hydraulic conductivity is opposite to the decrease in H2O diffusion rates reported by others. We suggest a theoretical basis for the apparently conflicting results.

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