Renal function during lactation in the rat.

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Abstract
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), salt and water reabsorption, and plasma concentrations of progesterone and prolactin were measured in virgins, 19 day pregnant and lactating rats. GFR was raised by .apprx. 40% in animals at 6-7 days of lactation when compared with virgins but towards the end of lactation returned to virgin levels. Salt and water reabsorption followed a similar pattern. At the time of maximum change of GFR during lactation RPF was raised by .apprx. 30% and so filtration fraction rose by .apprx. 10% when compared with virgins. Plasma prolactin and progesterone concentrations rose early in lactation but remained elevated when the renal changes had returned to normal. Factors other than changes in prolactin and progesterone concentrations must be implicated in the changes in renal function that occur during lactation.