Electrolyte handling by the superficial nephron of the rabbit.

A micropuncture study of the rabbit was performed to evaluate the function of the superficial nephron. The mean glomerular filtration rate of the left micropunctured kidney was 4.0 +/- 0.8 ml/min. The concentration profile of electrolytes within the proximal tubule was similar to that of species previously investigated except for potassium. The mean tubular fluid (TF)-ultrafilterable (UF) concentration ratios were as follows: sodium, 1.01 +/- 0.03; chloride, 1.14 +/- 0.04; calcium, 1.12 +/- 0.04; magnesium, 1.47 +/- 0.08; and phosphate, 0.94 +/- 0.09, with a mean TF-plasma (P) inulin concentration ratio of 1.78 +/- 0.14 (n = 32). The TF/UF potassium value significantly increased in association with TF/P inulin to a mean value of 1.26 +/- 0.06. Accordingly, 29% of the filtered potassium was reabsorbed in the superficial proximal tubule compared with 43% of the filtered sodium. The loop of Henle reabsorbed 55-60% of the filtered sodium, chloride, and calcium, whereas considerably less magnesium (33%) was reabsorbed. Segments beyond the distal tubule collection site reabsorbed little of the delivered magnesium, which supports the notion that the loop of Henle is the principal segment accounting for adjustments in magnesium balance. These studies indicate that the superficial nephron of the rabbit performs similar to other species reported, except potassium reabsorption is significantly less in the proximal convoluted tubule.