Micropuncture study of proximal tubule pH in avian kidney

Transepithelial potentials (PD) and pH gradients were measured by in vivo micropuncture in superficial proximal tubules of anesthetized European starlings. The average PD for 46 tubules was 2.24 +/- 1.17 mV (mean +/- SD), lumen negative. Only a single lumen-positive potential was recorded, even though late proximal segments are accessible to micropuncture. Proximal luminal pH, measured with single-barrel pH-sensitive microelectrodes, averaged 7.62 +/- 0.26. The pH of peritubular blood, also measured with microelectrodes, was 7.58 +/- 0.15. Correction of the luminal pH for the average PD resulted in a value of 7.58. A few measurements made with double-barrel microelectrodes indicated a pH in proximal tubules of 7.65 +/- 0.08 with a PD of -3.32 +/- 1.47 mV. Thus there appears to be no transepithelial pH gradient across these tubules. On the other hand, pH measurements of cortical collecting ducts averaged 6.40 +/- 0.37, indicating significant acidification in more distal segments. Starlings made acutely acidotic by HCl infusion had significantly reduced arterial and renal cortical pH values, but there was still no significant pH gradient across the proximal tubule. In conclusion, these superficial "reptilian-type" proximal tubules do not appear to have the capacity to maintain a pH gradient. Based on this and on the lack of lumen-positive chloride diffusion potentials, there appears to be no early proximal preferential bicarbonate reabsorption by these nephrons.