Angiotensin II and Aldosterone Increase with Fasting in Breeding Adult Male Northern Elephant Seals (Mirounga angustirostris)

• Main Authors: Rudy M. Ortiz, Daniel E. Crocker, Dorian S. Houser, Paul M. Webb
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 2006
• Subjects: fasting; Mirounga angustirostris; osmoregulation; renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; Ortiz; Webb; Elephant Seal; Elephant Seals
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/122664

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) appears to contribute significantly to osmoregulation of fasting northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) pups; however, RAAS has not been characterized in fasting adult seals. Therefore, this study examined the contribution of RAAS to water turnover rates in fasting adult male northern elephant seals. Blood samples were obtained twice during their breeding fast at an interval of 6.5 wk, and water efflux rate was estimated by isotopic dilution during the same period. Serum electrolytes (Na , K , Cl ) and osmolality were unaltered between the two sampling periods, indicating ionic and osmotic homeostasis during the fast. Despite the lack of an increase in vasopressin, serum angiotensin II and aldosterone were increased and were significantly and positively correlated. Changes in aldosterone concentration and water efflux rate were significantly and negatively correlated, suggesting that the greater the increase in aldosterone, the smaller the loss of water. Adult male seals maintain ionic and osmotic homeostasis similar to that of fasting weaned pups, and this homeostasis appears to be mediated, at least in part, by RAAS, which probably contributes to increased water retention as well. The hormonal mechanisms by which northern elephant seals maintain water and electrolyte balance during fasting conditions appear to be similar regardless of age. Published by and copyright of the University of Chicago Press. The definitive version of this article is available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/505996 Ortiz, R.M., Crocker, D.E., Houser, D.S., Webb, P.M. 2006. "Angiotensin II and Aldosterone Increase with Fasting in Breeding Adult Male Northern Elephant Seals (Mirounga angustirostris)" Physiological and Biochemical Zoology Vol.79.6 (2006): 1106-1112. 1537-5293