Excellent salinity tolerance of Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus): Elevated chloride cell activity in the branchial and opercular epithelia of the fish adapted to concentrated seawater

Changes in morphology and cellular activity of the chloride cells in branchial and opercular epithelia were examined in tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, adapted to fresh water (FW), seawater (SW) and concentrated SW (180% SW). The tilapia are adaptable to a wide range of salinity, maintaining the plasma osmolality within physiological levels. Gill Na+, K+-ATPase activity was remarkably increased in response to elevated environmental salinity. Using immunocytochemical staining with an antiserum specific for cx-subunit of Na+, K+-ATPase, chloride cells were detected on the afferent half of the filament epithelia. The size of immunoreactive chloride cells was twice larger in SW and four times larger in 180% SW than in FW. Confocal laser scanning microscopic observations revealed the frequent occurrence of chloride cell complexes under hypersaline conditions. By electron microscopy, a deeply invaginated apical crypt and well-developed tubular network were observed in chloride cells of SW- and 180% SW-adapted fish, indicating enhanced cellular activity. Chloride cells present in the opercular membrane were also developed in response to increased salinity. These findings suggest that highly activated chloride cells in branchial and opercular epithelia may be responsible for salt secretion in hyperosmotic environments. The excellent salinity tolerance of tilapia appears to be attributed to their ability to develop chloride cells in response to increased environmental salinity.