Kidney function in the Spinifex hopping mouse, 'Notomys alexis'

Title
Kidney function in the Spinifex hopping mouse, 'Notomys alexis'
Publication Date
2008
Author(s)
Gordge, L
Roberts, Juliet Rosemary
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Elsevier Inc
Place of publication
United States of America
DOI
10.1016/j.cbpa.2007.02.013
UNE publication id
une:3838
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.
Link
Citation
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 150(2), p. 90-101
ISSN
1531-4332
1095-6433
Start page
90
End page
101

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