Regulation of salt gland activity in the estuarine crocodile: phenotypic plasticity and control mechanisms.

河口鳄通过舌头上的盐腺排出过量的钠和氯离子，使鳄鱼能够生活在海水中。 本研究将调查盐腺分泌能力和活动的调节，通过检查腺体的表型可塑性，以改变环境盐度和饮食，并通过确定控制分泌速率的神经/体液机制。 在体内测量的血流量和盐腺分泌率，连同灌注腺制剂将揭示外在和内在的因素控制盐腺的活动和血流和分泌率之间的耦合程度。

The estuarine crocodile excretes excess sodium and chloride ions through salt glands located on the tongue, enabling the crocodile to live in seawater. This study will investigate the regulation of salt gland secretory capacity and activity, by examining both the phenotypic plasticity of the gland to changes in environmental salinity and diet, and by determining the neural/humoral mechanisms controlling secretory rate. In vivo measurements of blood flow and salt gland secretory rate, together with perfused gland preparations will reveal extrinsic and intrinsic factors controlling salt gland activity and the degree of coupling between blood flow and secretory rate.