Renal Urea Handling in Goats Fed High and Low Protein Diets

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Abstract
Four female goats were 1st fed a high protein diet and later a low protein diet. Renal urea handling was studied during feeding of both diets. Glomerular filtration rate was measured with [hydroxymethyl-carbon-14]inulin. Glomerular filtration rate dropped about 60% when N intake was restricted. Urea concentration of plasma fell from 6 mM on high protein diet to 0.6 mM on low protein diet. On low protein diet the rate of urea filtration at the glomeruli was only 4% of that on high protein diet, 22 vs. 519 .mu.mol/min. In addition, tubular urea reabsorption in percentage of filtered urea rose up to 92% on low protein diet. As a result of all these renal changes following dietary N restriction, urinary urea excretion was only 0.6% of urinary urea excretion on high protein diet. In goats as in other ruminants, renal mechanisms effectively contribute to urea conservation during protein deprivation.

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