Localization of Acidification of Urine, Potassium and Ammonia Secretion and Phosphate Reabsorption in the Nephron of the Dog

Abstract

The Malvin, Sullivan and Wilde ( The Physiologist 1: 58, 1957) stop flow technique for the localization of tubular function has been applied to a study of potassium and acid excretion in the dog. It has been observed that the urine is acidified in the distal part of the nephron at a site of avid sodium reabsorption. Potassium and ammonia are secreted in the same portion of the tubule. Diamox reduces acidification of the urine and secretion of ammonia and enhances the secretion of potassium. Phosphate is reabsorbed in the proximal part of the nephron in a region which is coextensive with that which secretes p-aminohippurate. All our data are consonant with the view that a mechanism located in the distal part of the nephron exchanges cellular hydrogen and/or potassium ions for sodium ions in the tubular urine. Ammonia diffuses into acid urine and is trapped as ammonium ion. Diamox, by interfering with the supply of cellular hydrogen ions, reduces exchange of hydrogen for sodium and favors the exchange of potassium for sodium.