Main description:

This volume emphasizes the comparative approach to under standing vertebrate renal function. I am convinced that this approach is of particular value in understanding both the details of renal function at the cellular and subcellular levels and the renal role in regulating fluid volumes and solute concentrations. My exposure to this approach first occurred during a student research experience in the laboratory of Wilbur H. Sawyer, who also provided an introduction to the works of Homer W. Smith and August Krogh. The importance of this approach was reinforced by doctoral and postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Bodil Schmidt-Nielsen. It has been confirmed through years of personal experience since then. My research and my understanding of renal function have been aided through the years by collaboration and discussion with numerous students and associates. Of particular impor tance in developing my views on comparative renal function, and especially on the relationship of structure to function, has been my long association with my colleague and friend, Eldon J. Braun. Donald S. Farner, who suggested the writing of this volume, provided valuable editorial assistance. Much of my personal research in this area has been supported over the years by grants from the United States National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. The writing of this volume was completed while I was in Wiirzburg, Federal Republic of Germany, supported by a Senior U.S. Scientist Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Contents:

1. Introduction.- 1.1 The Comparative Approach.- 1.2 Environmental Requirements in Regulating the Water and Solute Composition of the Internal Environment.- 1.3 Possible Roles of Kidneys in Regulating Water and Solute Composition of the Internal Environment.- 1.4 Useful Reviews on Comparative Renal Physiology.- 2. Renal Morphology.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Gross Internal and External Morphology.- 2.2.1 General Considerations.- 2.2.2 Fishes.- 2.2.3 Amphibians.- 2.2.4 Reptiles.- 2.2.5 Birds.- 2.2.6 Mammals.- 2.2.7 General Blood Vessel Patterns.- 2.3 Fine Internal Structure.- 2.3.1 General Considerations.- 2.3.2 Glomerulus.- 2.3.3 Proximal Tubule.- 2.3.4 Early Distal Tubule.- 2.3.5 Late Distal and Collecting Tubules.- 2.3.6 Juxtaglomerular Apparatus.- 3. Initial Process in Urine Formation.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Filtration of Fluid by Glomeruli.- 3.2.1 Process of Ultrafiltrate Formation at Renal Glomeruli.- 3.2.2 Values for Single-Nephron Glomerular Filtration Rates.- 3.2.3 Changes in Whole-Kidney Glomerular Filtration Rates.- 3.2.4 Changes in Single-Nephron Filtration Rates and in Number of Filtering Nephrons.- 3.2.5 Regulation of Single-Nephron Filtration Rates and Number of Filtering Nephrons.- 3.3 Secretion of Fluid by Tubules.- 4. Transport of Inorganic Ions by Renal Tubules.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Sodium and Chloride.- 4.2.1 Direction, Magnitude, and Sites of Net Transport.- 4.2.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 4.2.3 Control of Transport.- 4.3 Potassium.- 4.3.1 Direction, Magnitude, and Sites of Net Transport.- 4.3.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 4.3.3 Hormonal Control.- 4.4 Hydrogen Ion.- 4.4.1 Magnitude and Sites of Net Transport.- 4.4.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 4.5 Calcium.- 4.5.1 Direction, Magnitude, and Sites of Net Transport.- 4.5.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 4.5.3 Hormonal Control.- 4.6 Phosphate.- 4.6.1 Direction, Magnitude, and Sites of Net Transport.- 4.6.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 4.6.3 Control by Parathyroid Hormone.- 4.7 Magnesium.- 4.7.1 Direction, Magnitude, and Sites of Net Transport.- 4.7.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 4.8 Sulfate.- 4.8.1 Direction, Magnitude, and Sites of Net Transport.- 4.8.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 5. Transport of Fluid by Renal Tubules.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Fluid Absorption.- 5.2.1 Magnitude and Sites of Net Absorption.- 5.2.2 Mechanism and Control of Fluid Absorption.- 5.3 Fluid Secretion.- 6. Transport of Organic Substances by Renal Tubules.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Glucose.- 6.2.1 Direction, Magnitude, and Sites of Net Transport.- 6.2.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 6.3 Bicarbonate.- 6.3.1 Direction, Magnitude, and Sites of Net Transport.- 6.3.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 6.4 Amino Acids.- 6.4.1 Direction, Magnitude, and Sites of Net Transport.- 6.4.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 6.5 Urea.- 6.5.1 Direction, Magnitude, and Sites of Net Transport.- 6.5.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 6.6 Ammonia.- 6.6.1 Magnitude and Sites of Net Secretion.- 6.6.2 Process of Production and Secretion.- 6.7 Organic Acids and Anions (Except Amino Acids, Urate, and Lactate).- 6.7.1 Direction and Sites of Net Transport.- 6.7.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 6.8 Urate.- 6.8.1 Direction, Magnitude, and Sites of Net Transport.- 6.8.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 6.9 Lactate.- 6.10 Organic Cations.- 6.10.1 Direction and Sites of Net Transport.- 6.10.2 Mechanism of Transport.- 7. Diluting and Concentrating Processes.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Range of Urine Osmolality.- 7.3 Process and Sites of Dilution.- 7.4 Process of Concentration.- 7.5 Regulation of Urine Osmolality.- 8. Integrative Summary of Renal Function.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Integrative Summary Within Each of the Major Vertebrate Groups.- 8.2.1 Fishes.- 8.2.2 Amphibians.- 8.2.3 Reptiles.- 8.2.4 Birds.- 8.2.5 Mammals.- 8.3 Summary Comparisons and Contrasts of Renal Function Among Groups of Vertebrates.- 8.3.1 Glomerular Filtration Rate - Stability Versus Lability.- 8.3.2 Diluting and Concentrating Process.- 8.3.3 Sites and Mechanisms of Tubular Transport.- References.