Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T03:02:55.242Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effects of late pregnancy and early lactation on renal urea handling in Corriedale ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 1998

B. B. NDIBUALONJI
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Veterinary Faculty, University of Liège, Bd Colonster no. 20, B42, 4000 Liège – Sart Tilman, Belgium
M.-N. RODRIGUEZ
Affiliation:
Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
D. DEHARENG
Affiliation:
Gena Unit, Agronomics Faculty, Catholic University of Louvain, Place Croix du Sud 2, Boîte 14, B–1348 Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium
A. CIRIO
Affiliation:
Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
J.-M. GODEAU
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Veterinary Faculty, University of Liège, Bd Colonster no. 20, B42, 4000 Liège – Sart Tilman, Belgium

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in renal function in late pregnant and early lactating Corriedale ewes. Compared with the non-productive state, plasma urea concentration was increased by 67% during pregnancy, whereas it decreased by 36% during lactation. Urine flow, urea clearance, renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate were significantly reduced (P<0·05) during both late pregnancy and early lactation. Filtered load of urea and the amount of urea eliminated were significantly reduced (P<0·05) only in lactating ewes. No changes were noted in the fractional excretion of urea, the filtration fraction and the urine osmolality during both late pregnancy and early lactation. It was concluded that, as in other breeds, Corriedale ewes can adapt to increased nitrogen requirements during late pregnancy, and especially during early lactation, by increasing the renal conservation of urea. Unlike other breeds, however, Corriedale ewes restrict the urine urea losses mainly by reducing renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate, without any modification of the tubular reabsorption of urea during both late pregnancy and early lactation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1998 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)