THE FILTRATION RATE, EFFECTIVE RENAL BLOOD FLOW, TUBULAR EXCRETORY MASS AND PHENOL RED CLEARANCE IN NORMAL PREGNANCY 1

Abstract

On account of the tendency to water and salt retention and the apparent readiness with which albuminuria and hypertension develop in pregnant [female][female], some alteration of renal function in normal pregnancy has long been sought. The recent reports of renal hypertrophy in laboratory animals receiving large doses of the steroid sex hormones have raised the question of a possible effect on the kidney of these hormones when they reach the high plasma concs. seen in pregnant [female][female]. The kidney function of 21 [female][female] in the last mos. of a normal pregnancy was studied by renal clearance methods. None of these were re-tested after delivery. The inulin, phenol red and diodrast clearances and diodrast Tm were all found within the normal range during pregnancy and were unaltered by parturition. These results indicate that normal pregnancy has no effect on the glomerular filtration rate, on the effective renal blood flow or on the tubular excretory mass.