The Effect of Vasopressin Upon the Distribution of Serum Albumin in the Rat Kidney

Abstract

Summary. The effect of sniall doses of vasopressin (100 jiU) upon the distribution of Ii'''! labelled serum albumin in the rat kidney was studied.In all animals the papilla took up more senuii albumin than did the medulla or the cortex.The uptake of albumin into the papilla of rats given vasopressin was significantly more variable than the uptake into the papilla of control rats. In some experimental animals the uptake of isotope was less than that of the controls, while in others the uptake was greater than in the control animals.

The effect of vasopressin upon the vasculature of the isolated perfused rat kidney

“…Evidence for the accumulation of plasma protein in the papilla is reviewed by Marsh (1971). These present experiments confirm that elevation of plasma viscosity does decrease papillary flow, but whether the changes in water content observed by Cross et al (1966) are sufficient to cause this effect is open to doubt.…”

“…The decrease in papillary perfusion seen here in response to a modest elevation of the relative viscosity of the perfusion fluid suggests that viscosity of the plasma as determined by the concentration of plasma protein may play a significant part in determining papillary flow. Cross, Sherrington & Thornton (1966) suggested that vasopressin might decrease papillary blood flow by causing water to be excluded from the papilla. They demonstrated a significant decrease in water content of the papilla within 10 min of the administration of a single dose of vasopressin to intact animals.…”