In vivo demonstration of renal carbonic anhydrase activity in the fetal lamb.

The capacity of the fetal renal carbonic enzyme to facilitate the renal reabsorption of bicarbonate was studied in 8 long-term fetal lamb preparations (103-124 days of gestation). After acetazolamide administration the fetal arterial blood pH and PCO2 values decreased significantly (p less than 0.05). Significant increases in fetal urinary pH (p less than 0.001), and urinary excretion of bicarbonate (p less than 0.001), potassium (p less than 0.05) and total cation (Na+ + K+) were observed after carbonic anhydrase inhibition. It is suggested from these in vivo studies that renal carbonic anhydrase is present and active during fetal life and does not limit the capacity of the fetal kidney to reabsorb bicarbonate.