Urinary concentrating defect in the aged rat

The renal concentrating ability of Fischer 344 rats was studied at 23 and 4 mo of age. Maximum urine concentration after 40 h of dehydration with or without vasopressin injection was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) in old (2,550 +/- 70 and 2,363 +/- 107 mosmol/kg H2O2, respectively) vs. young (3,242 +/- 50 and 3,162 +/- 50 mosmol/kg H2O, respectively) rats. Free water reabsorption (TcH2O/GFR) rose progressively as a function of osmolar clearance, and at similar values of distal solute delivery TcH2O was clearly reduced in the old group. Free water formation (CH2O/GFR) rose linearly as a function of urine flow and was not different between old and young rats. Glomerular filtration rate was also not different between age groups under the conditions studied. Nonurea (sodium + potassium + ammonium) x 2 and urea solute concentrations as well as total calculated osmolality in the cortex, outer medulla, or inner medulla were not different between age groups. Because the indices of ascending limb solute delivery and transport and the solute gradient for water reabsorption were similar, we conclude that the concentrating defect in aged rats is most likely secondary to a decrease in water permeability along the collecting duct.