INCREASED RATE OF UREA FORMATION FOLLOWING REMOVAL OF RENAL TISSUE

Abstract

On a diet of 15% glucose in 0.4% NaCl when urea excretion is approaching a minimum, the rate of urea formation in rats is increased during each 4-hr. period of the first 24 hrs. after removal of 75% of the total renal tissue, the increase being measured relatively to similarly traumatized control rats whose kidneys were left intact. Under the same conditions, a greater increase in urea formation follows the complete removal of both kidneys. During the first 24 hrs. after operation, controls with both kidneys intact form 40 mg. of urea per rat per 150 g. body wt., rats left with a quarter of their renal tissue form 88 mg., and rats with no renal tissue produce 120 mg. of urea.