Renal Micropuncture Study of the Development of Anuria in the Rat with Mercury-induced Acute Renal Failure*

Abstract

The physiologic events leading to the development of anuria in mercuric chloride induced acute renal failure have been studied in the rat. Glomerular filtration becomes progressively decreased as oliguria develops. Absorption of proximal tubular fluid and intratubular pressure also decrease progressively. Tubular obstruction due to cast formation or interstitial edema and passive back-flow of the filtrate was shown to play no significant role in the development of anuria. Rather, tubular obstruction with detritus appears to be the result of the decreased glomerular filtration rate and diminished tubular flow. A primary decrease in glomerular filtration rate is thus suggested as the initial cause of anuria in mercuric chloride-poisoned rats.