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The Urinary and Osmoregulatory Systems of Birds
Susan E Orosz1, M Scott Echols2
1Bird and Exotic Pet Wellness Center, 5166 Monroe Street, Suite 306, Toledo, OH 43623, USA.
Abstract:
The avian kidney contains both cortical or reptilian and medullary or mammalian nephrons. The kidney filters up to 11 times the total body water daily. Approximately 95% of this volume is reabsorbed by tubular reabsorption, which likely results from a change in the rate of filtration and/or the rate of reabsorption. These changes can result because of the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasotocin. The urinary concentrating ability generally varies inversely with body mass; however, birds can concentrate their urine, often at 2 to 3 times the osmolality of plasma. Further concentration of urine may occur by retroperistalsis.
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