RENAL DIURESIS AFTER INJECTIONS OF THE FRESHWATER EEL AND ANTIDIURESIS ARGININE VASOTOCIN IN (ANGUILLA ANGUILLA L.)

Abstract

The renal responses of the freshwater-adapted eel, Anguilla anguilla L. to arginine vasotocin ([8-arginine]-oxytocin) have been examined. The quality of the responses to the intravenously administered peptide was found to vary with the dose. Less than 0·1 ng/kg body weight reduced glomerular filtration rate, free water clearance and rate of urine production for up to 60 min. Doses greater than 1·0 ng/kg body weight induced a 'glomerular diuresis', i.e. increased rates of urine production, glomerular filtration and free water clearance for 40–60 min. Neither the diuretic nor the antidiuretic doses produce changes in urinary composition, and no obvious direct tubular actions of the peptide were found. Arterial blood pressure, measured in the dorsal aorta, increased with some of the diuretic doses, whilst the lower doses (less than 10 ng/kg body weight) had little or no cardiovascular actions. The mechanisms involved in these dose—response characteristics are discussed with particular regard to the renal function of lower vertebrates. It is suggested that arginine vasotocin plays a primary or secondary role in the modulation of 'glomerular intermittency'.