Abstract
In a previous publication 1 it was reported that epinephrine infusions in the dog resulted in either an oliguria or a polyuria, depending on the rate of infusion. From the work of Richards and Plant 2 and Winton 3 the hypothesis was advanced that the dilute epinephrine in the blood stream resulting from a slow infusion constricted the efferent arterioles, causing a polyuria; but with a more rapid infusion and a resulting higher concentration the afferent, or both the afferent and efferent, arterioles were constricted, causing an oliguria. The present experiments were designed to determine the rôle of the glomerulus in the urinary response to epinephrine.
Seventeen experiments were carried out on 15 toadfish (Opsanus tau), an animal possessing aglomerular kidneys. 4 Twenty-eight experiments were performed on 24 puffers (Spheriodes maculatus) which possess glomerular kidneys. The animal was anesthetized with urethane in sea water and after anesthesia had occurred it was transferred to a more dilute urethane solution. A slow stream of oxygen bubbled through the mouth and out the gill slits to prevent asphyxia. One ureter was cannulated and the urine flow was determined by frequent observations of the movement of the meniscus in the cannula. The arterial blood pressure was determined in a number of experiments by means of a Hg manometer, 10% sodium citrate being used as the anticoagulant. The gonadal vein was cannulated for the injection of the solution. After determining a normal urine rate dilute sea water equivalent in volume to that of the epinephrine solution to be injected was given by vein for the control injection. The volume never exceeded 1 cc.
In the toadfish, doses of epinephrine varying from 67 to 6 micrograms per 100 gm. body weight had no specific effect on the urinary rate.
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