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Renal function in the laboratory rat: a student exercise

R L Walker¹, M E Olson

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The American Journal of Physiology

|June 1, 1995

Summary

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This study developed a rat-based renal function exercise to teach kidney homeostatic control. The experiment effectively demonstrates the kidneys' ability to regulate fluid volume, ions, and osmolarity in physiology labs.

Area of Science:

Physiology
Animal Models
Educational Laboratories

Background:

Growing concerns regarding the use of human body fluids in physiology education.
Need for alternative, ethically sound laboratory exercises.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate a laboratory exercise demonstrating renal function using laboratory rats.
To illustrate the kidneys' role in maintaining homeostasis of extracellular fluid volume, plasma ionic concentrations, and osmolarity.

Main Methods:

Utilized four groups of rats: normovolemic control, volume-expanded, volume-expanded and salt-loaded, and volume-depleted.
Rats were housed in metabolic cages for precise measurement of fluid intake and urine output.
Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture, with animals recovering for reuse.

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Main Results:

Pooled class data revealed clear trends illustrating kidney function.
Demonstrated the kidneys' capacity for volume, osmolarity, and ion regulation under different physiological conditions.

Conclusions:

The developed rat-based exercise is an effective tool for teaching renal homeostatic mechanisms.
This model provides a safe and repeatable method for demonstrating kidney function in an educational setting.