RENAL REGULATION OF ACID EXCRETION IN THE RED DEER (CERVUS ELEPHUS)

¹ Physiology Department, Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB

Hydrochloric acid was infused into the rumens of two red deer in experiments designed to study renal control of acid excretion. The deer were fed roughage diets and in control periods the urine was alkaline and was rich in bicarbonate and poor in phosphate. Infusion of HCl led to a fall in urine pH and to the disappearance of bicarbonate from the urine. Excretion of acid in the urine increased and nearly all of this was due to the increased excretion of ammonium ions. Excretion of calcium in the urine increased appreciably during acid infusion and was correlated with urine pH. Excretion of sodium in urine was slightly increased during acid infusion and that in faeces was slightly reduced. Faecal excretion of calcium, phosphorus and potassium were unaffected.

These results indicate that renal control of acid excretion in the red deer is similar to that of sheep and calves.

Note:

The author would like to thank Mr W. Buchan for skilled assistance during these experiments.