Renal function in the term pregnant rat: a micropuncture study

The purpose of this study was to define individual nephron function and salt and fluid reabsorption in the term pregnant rat utilizing standard micropuncture techniques. The studies were performed at the time of maximal sodium retention and when extracellular fluid volume was significantly increased. During micropuncture in 7 pregnant and 9 non-pregnant rats, we found no difference, respectively, in GFR 1.04 +/- 0.06 vs. 1.13 +/- 0.06 ml/min/kidney or nephron GFR 35 +/- 0.9 vs. 33 +/- 1 ml/min. Fractional and absolute Na reabsorption was also not significantly different in the proximal tubule or the loop of Henle. Along the distal tubule, fractional reabsorption was higher in pregnancy, 71 +/- 3 vs. 62 +/- 4 but not statistically different, 0.05 less than p less than 0.10. Beyond the late distal tubule absolute delivery and reabsorption were greater in the nonpregnant rats. Distal nephron potassium secretion was similar in both groups. In anesthetized rats during clearance studies but without surgery for micropuncture, GFR in the pregnant group was significantly higher than the nonpregnant rats, 1.65 +/- 0.06 vs. 1.28 +/- 1.10 ml/min/kidneys as was tubular reabsorption of sodium. We conclude that pregnant rats exhibit glomerular tubular balance and that potassium handling along the superficial nephron is unaffected by pregnancy. The sodium retention of pregnancy appears to occur because of the failure of inhibition of tubular sodium reabsorption, a response which is normally expected when extracellular volume is expanded.