Skin morphology and function in Xenopus laevis exposed to a saline environment for up to one week

This study evaluated the skin adaptation response in Xenopus laevis to shor t- and medium-term stays (24 h, 48 h, 7 days) in brackish water. Morphologi cal, histochemical, histoenzymological (alkaline phosphatase, carbonic anhy drase) and electrophysiological (short-circuit current, resistance) charact eristics were examined. The results show that animals adapt to brackish wat er, implementing a variety of shore and medium-term morphofunctional modifi cations of the epidermis and skin glands. These modifications form part of the defence mechanisms needed to protect the animal from an excess increase in the saline concentration of internal fluids.