Parathyroid hormone-induced phosphate excretion following preequilibration with 32P

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates a secretory component of avian renal inorganic phosphate (Pi) transport, but the secreted Pi does not appear to be derived directly from peritubular (plasma) Pi. In the present study, experiments were conducted to determine whether differences in parathyroid status during 32P infusion influenced entry of the isotope into the Pi secretory pool. Fractional excretion values for Pi (FEPi) and 32P (FE32P) were compared in normal and parathyroidectomized (PTX) anesthetized birds that had been preinfused with 32P for 0, 90, and 240 min before PTH infusion. The results demonstrate that in the absence of exogenous PTH, FEPi is identical to FE32P in normal and PTX birds, reflecting full equilibration of 32P with excreted Pi under these conditions; and, regardless of the duration of 32P preequilibration or the parathyroid status of the experimental animals, exogenous PTH always causes FEPi to exceed FE32P. It is concluded that the Pi secretory pool is inaccessible to 32P under conditions that should markedly alter cellular Pi influx and efflux.