RENAL-FUNCTION STUDIES IN NORMAL AND TOXEMIC PREGNANT SHEEP

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 68  (1) , 124-137
Abstract
Renal blood and plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and maximal tubular transport of PAH [p-aminohippurate] (TmPAH) were measured in nonpregnant and twin-pregnant sheep. Twin-pregnant animals were studied during normal pregnancy and during ovine pregnancy toxemia artificially produced by starvation. All animals were surgically prepared with aortic, post caval and renal vein cannulas at least 1 wk prior to experimentation. Total renal blood and plasma flow apparently was elevated during pregnancy, but if expressed on the basis of body weight to changes were noted. Starvation and resultant development of hypoglycemia and hyperketonemia caused a 25-30% decline in renal blood and plasma flow. GFR in pregnant fed sheep (193 ml/min or 2.7 ml/kg .cntdot. min) was significantly higher (P < .001) than that of nonpregnant ewes (118 or 2.3 ml/kg min). During ovine pregnancy toxemia the GFR was significantly (P < .001) diminished (142 ml/min or 2.0 ml/kg min). TmPAH was significantly higher (179 mg/min or 2.5 mg/kg min) in pregnant animals when compared to nonpregnant ewes (98 mg/min or 1.9 mg/kg min.), but starvation had no effect on TmPAH in pregnant sheep. A functional renal hypertrophy probably occurred during pregnancy which was similar to that which follows unilateral nephrectomy or renal disease. During ovine pregnancy toxemia the diminution in renal function probably resulted from metabolic derangements and was not comparable to human preeclampsia.