Renal Function in Australian Native Rodents

Abstract

Glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma and blood flow rates, and urea clearance have been measured in five species of native Australian rodents (family Muridae) and the laboratory mouse. The effect of solute loading on two of these species, Notomys alexis and N. mitchellii, has also been investigated. When expressed in mass-independent terms, neither glomemlar filtration rate nor renal blood flow show differences which could be related to preferred habitat. Measurements for the clearance of urea were also similar in all species except Notomys alexis and N. mitchellii, the ratio of this parameter to glomerular filtration rate was lowest in N. alexis, P. australis and M. musculus. Solute loadings of dehydrated N. alexis and N. mitchellii with urea and sodium chloride suggested that the former species may recycle urea to aid in the production of concentrated urine, whereas N. mitchellii may use sodium chloride for this purpose.