10 Perfusion Methods for the Study of Gill Physiology

Abstract

This chapter discusses perfusion methods for the study of gill physiology. A large number of perfused gill preparations have been developed to study gill physiology. In general, isolated or in situ perfused gills allow to control or measure many variables concerning gill function. The control of perfusate composition, pressure, and flow and the exclusion of postbranchial circulation, together with an increased accuracy of measurements, are the principal advantages of perfusion methods. Perfused gill preparations fall into four main groups: isolated branchial arches, branchial baskets including all arches, heads, and whole bodies. Isolated branchial arches exclude tissues, such as the central..