The effect of catecholamines on H+ and NH+4 excretion in toad urinary bladder.

The catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine, when placed on the toad urinary bladder in vitro, at a final concentration of 50 microM, caused a significant increase in H+ and NH+4 excretion by the bladder. Isoprenaline in a final concentration of 50 microM also increased H+ and NH+4 excretion in the bladder. Propranolol at a concentration of 50 microM blocked the stimulation of H+ excretion by isoprenaline but propranolol at 100 microM was required to block the stimulation of NH+4 by isoprenaline. The dose-response analysis indicates that the concentration of epinephrine used (50 microM) is at or near the maximal effective dose. These findings indicate that catecholamines stimulate H+ and NH+4 excretion in the toad urinary bladder and evidence suggests this may be mediated via the beta receptor mechanism.