[On the lysosomal pattern in the kidney of normal rats with special reference to the protein excretion(author's...

Using the histochemical reaction for acid phosphatase the lysosomal pattern of the proximal renal tubule has been investigated in virginal female rats, in the course of pregnancy, and in females following pretreatment with progesterone. Furthermore the stage of gestation, phases of sexual cycle, the urinary output as well its protein concentration and the protein excretion have been taken into account. From the metabolic studies it becomes clear, that the urine values depend on the sexual phase and the duration of gravidity. On the basis of our histochemical results strong evidence occurs, that the lysosomes in the proximal renal tubule are influenced by both, the proteins in the primary urine and by sex hormones. In all collectives investigated an increase of the protein concentrations in the urine runs always parallel to an increase of the number of small and medium-sized lysosomes; the big ones disappear. At the end of pregnancy and after pretreatment with progesterone acid phosphatase seems to diffuse out of the lysosomes in the epithelial cells of the S1- and S2-segments.