Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/3744
Title: Kidney function in the Spinifex hopping mouse, 'Notomys alexis'
Contributor(s): Gordge, L (author); Roberts, Juliet Rosemary  (author)
Publication Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2007.02.013
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/3744
Abstract: 'Notomys alexis' (Spinifex hopping mouse) is found in the arid zone of Australia. The structure and function of the kidneys allow this species to conserve water. This study investigated the rate at which 'N. alexis' can reduce urine volume and increase the concentration of electrolytes and solutes when water deprived. It also looked at the response to rehydration, following a period of water deprivation. The laboratory mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, was used for comparison. 'N. alexis' is able to reduce urine volume and increase urine concentration more rapidly than M. m. domesticus when water deprived. This appears to occur prior to any measurable changes in plasma electrolyte concentrations and is not due to reductions in glomerular filtration rate. Gradual water deprivation over a period of 10 days allowed 'N. alexis' to adjust so that urine composition was similar in many ways to animals that had ad libitum access to water, whereas M. m. domesticus required significant water supplementation to maintain body weight at 85% of initial body weight. Ability to concentrate urine rapidly is characteristic of a well-insulated renal medulla [Bankir, L., DeRouffignac, C., 1985. Urinary concentrating ability: insights from comparative anatomy. Am. J. Physiol. 249, R643–666]. However, a well-insulated medulla is normally associated with slow dilution of urine when animals are rehydrated. 'N. alexis' was able to produce dilute urine very rapidly following rehydration of water deprived animals. Physiological control of renal function appears to be complex. Although M. m. domesticus is able to produce concentrated urine, it is unable to survive without free water and responds more slowly to water deprivation.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 150(2), p. 90-101
Publisher: Elsevier Inc
Place of Publication: United States of America
ISSN: 1531-4332
1095-6433
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 060603 Animal Physiology - Systems
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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