Abstract |
The ontogenetic profile of several parameters of neonatal renal development in the rat is presented. Nephrogenesis was observed to continue at a rapid pace between birth and 8 days of age and to be virtually complete by 11 days of age. The activity of alkaline phosphatase, a brush border enzyme, declined during this time period relative to organ growth as a whole. The ability to elaborate a concentrated urine when presented with a period of fluid deprivation was barely present at birth and increased dramatically with age. Finally, the diuresis response to an orally administered water load was detected on the second post-natal day, while the response to antidiuretic hormones was present to a slight degree on the first postnatal day. |