Polyamines are unevenly distributed within the rat and rabbit kidney

Aliphatic polyamines have generally been measured on the whole kidney. Since the kidney is composed of a variety of cells, whole organ data are of limited value for the interpretation of the functions of the polyamines. The aim of this study was to establish the distribution pattern of putrescine, spermidine and spermine within the kidneys of male and female rats and rabbits. It is shown that the polyamines are unevenly distributed along the cortico-papillary axis. Each amine exhibited its own distinct distribution pattern. The polyamines are predominantly located in the cortex. Putrescine levels increased gradually from the cortex to the papillary tip in rabbits, whereas, in rats, fluctuations in putrescine level were marked. In the six zones of the rabbit kidney studied, spermidine and spermine concentrations were markedly higher in females than in males. This difference was less marked in rats.