OBSERVATIONS ON KIDNEYS OF DESERT AND SWAMP ANIMALS. I. PLASMA AND URINE OSMOLALITY IN SOME DESERT AND SWAMPDWELLING MAMMALS,
Abstract
Urine and plasma osmolalities were determined by cryoscopy in deermice (Peromyscus) and rabbits (Sylvilagus) from arid and humid environments. Rabbits in 'wet' environmental cages produced urine of 390 to 1200 milliosmoles/liter. Those deprived of water produced urine of 800 to 1250 milliosmoles/liter, and those given ADH in addition produced urine of 1300 and 1500 milliosmoles/liter. Desert cottontails during the dryest season produced urine of 1100 to 2450 milliosmoles/liter. Plasma osmolalities in all rabbits ranged from 300 to 430 milliosmoles/liter with only two cases in eleven exceeding 350 milliosmoles/liter. Dry season desert deermice showed plasma osmolalities from 500 to 900 milliosmoles/liter while those examined during the relatively moist season showed plasma osmolalities from 375 to 420 milliosmoles/liter. Dry season urine ranged from 1250 to 4400 milliosmoles/liter while moist season urine ranged from 2435 to 4170 milliosmoles/liter. In desert deermice an important method of adjustment to aridity, aside from the production of highly concentrated urine, appears to be the ability to vary plasma osmolality and to tolerate a highly concentrated plasma osmolality. Plasma osmolalities in deermice from cool, wet environments ranged from 250 to 440 milliosmoles/liter while urine ranged from 550 to 3100 milliosmoles/liter. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0626837
Entities
People
- David C. Bagley
- George C. Dewey
- Hans Elias
- Peter M. Elias
Organizations
- Chicago Medical School