Water and electrolyte absorption in ileal segments surgically transposed to the urinary bladder in the cat.

Net transport of water and electrolytes was studied in ileal segments which had been exposed to urine during three months in seven cats. During surgery, a 5 cm long ileal segment was interposed between the ureters and the urinary bladder. At the same time a control segment (5 cm) was indicated with silver clips. After three months, the net transport of water and electrolytes was studied using a continuous perfusion technique with an isotonic and with a hypertonic, urine-like perfusate. Microscopic examination of the mucosa showed a significant reduction of villus height in the transposed segments compared to the controls (p less than 0.05). With the isotonic perfusate there was a net absorption of water in the control segments, and a net secretion in the transposed segments, the difference being statistically significant (p less than 0.05). When the hypertonic perfusate was used, a net secretion occurred in both control and transposed segments. Net transport of electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-) was in the same direction as water transport in both control and transposed segments. The results indicate that there does not seem to be any risk of water or electrolyte reabsorption by intestinal mucosa which has been exposed to urine.