Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Ammonia Production in the Collecting Ducts of Mammalian Kidneys

Abstract

COMPARED with other parts of the nephron, the cells of the collecting ducts are morphologically conspicuous by the absence of any particular differentiation. This has led to the assumption that their function is exclusively mechanical, that is, to convey the urine from the distal part of the nephron to the renal pelvis. Physiologists have not been able to assign any active cellular function to this part of the nephron, though Glimstedt1 and Wirz2 presented convincing evidence for its importance in water reabsorption and we have suggested3 that back-diffusion of ammonia might occur in this segment. Both these functions are presumably of physicochemical nature and independent of cellular activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Glimstedt, G., Nord. Med., 12, 2924 (1941).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Wirz, H., Hargity, B., and Kuhn, W., Helv. Physiol. Acta, 9, 196 (1951).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Richterich-van Baerle, R., Goldstein, L., and Dearborn, Earl H., Science, 124, 74 (1956).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Dickens, F., and Weil-Malherbe, H., Biochem. J., 30, 659 (1936).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Weil, L., and Jennings, R. K., J. Biol. Chem., 139, 421 (1941).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wachstein, M., J. Histo. and Cytochem., 3, 246 (1955).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Meister, A., Physiol. Rev., 36, 103 (1956).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Richterich-van Baerle, R., Goldstein, L., and Dearborn, Earl H., Enzymologia (submitted for publication).

  9. Krebs, H. A., Deutsche Med. Wchnschr., 81, 4 (1956).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Walker, A. M., Amer. J. Physiol., 131, 187 (1940).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Albright, F., et al., Bull. Johns Hopkins Hosp., 66, 7 (1940).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Baines, G. H., Barclay, J. A., and Cooke, W. T., Quart. J. Exp. Med., 14, 113 (1945).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Montgomery, H., and Pierce, J. A., Amer. J. Physiol., 118, 144 (1937).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Oliveira, H. L. de, Metabolism, 2, 37 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Fanconi, G., Helv. Paediat. Acta, 1, 183 (1946).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Lowe, C. U., Terrey, M., and MacLachlan, E. A., Amer. J. Dis. Child., 83, 164 (1952).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

BAERLE, RV., GOLDSTEIN, L. & DEARBORN, E. Ammonia Production in the Collecting Ducts of Mammalian Kidneys. Nature 178, 698–700 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1038/178698a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/178698a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing