Microinjection study of renal calcium absorption in the phosphate-depleted rat

Tracer microinjection studies were performed in chronically phosphate-depleted (CPD) and phosphate-supplemented (PS) rats in order to determine the site of the defect in calcium absorption which developed in CPD. Calcium recovery in the final urine was significantly higher in CPD than in PS rats after microinjections into the early and the late proximal tubules. However, there was no significant difference in the urinary recovery between the two groups after injection into the early and late distal convoluted tubules. The difference in calcium recovery in late proximal studies persisted during PTH infusion. This indicates that there is a defect in calcium absorption in phosphate-depleted rats between late proximal and early distal tubules, which is not correctable with PTH infusion.