Acute compensatory adaptation of renal function following contralateral kidney exclusion in Brattleboro rats with diabetes insipidus.

1. The function of the remaining kidney following ligation of a single renal pedicle in anaesthetized rats with hereditary hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (DI) was studied using clearance methods. Values were compared with those obtained in DI rats which had been sham operated. 2. A small increase in the glomerular filtration rate of the remaining kidney was observed, which was statistically significant after 150 min. Increases in effective renal plasma flow were also observed, but these were not statistically significant. 3. The fractional excretion rates of Na and K increased immediately after contralateral kidney ligation; as a result total Na and K excretion rates remained similar to values in sham operated animals with both kidneys intact. 4. Fractional urine flow (V/GFR) increased by approximately 40% after contralateral ligation. It is argued that, since water reabsorption in the diluting segments of the nephron was unlikely to have been reduced, the increase in V/GFR was an indication that fractional fluid reabsorption in the proximal nephron had been inhibited. 5. Clearance determinations showed that the fractional reabsorption of Na in the proximal nephron was similarly reduced after contralateral ligation. However, Na reabsorption in the distal nephron increased, though not by enough to prevent a doubling of fractional sodium excretion. 6. The osmolalities of interstitial fluids obtained from the medulla and papilla of the contralateral kidney 2 hr after unilateral renal pedicle ligation were slightly, but significantly, higher than corresponding values in sham operated rats. This raises the possibility that salt reabsorption in the ascending limb of Henle might be enhanced immediately after contralateral renal exclusion.