Abstract
The role of the fetal kidney in regulating acid-base elimination in the intact fetus has not been elucidated. This study was designed to investigate the response of the intact fetus to acute acid loading with hydrochloric acid. The lamb fetus is delivered by Caesarean section onto a warm table adjacent to the mother. The umbilical cord was protected and the fetal pulse rate, blood pressure and body temperature were monitored continuously. The fetal external jugular, carotid artery and both ureters were cannulated. The glomerular filtration rates, urine ammonia, titratable acidity (TA), phosphate, chloride and blood pH, pCO2 and chloride were measured during two 30 minute control periods. 0.3 molar hydrochloric acid was then infused into the fetus at a rate to maintain the fetal blood pH between 6.9 and 7.1. The results during the control (Basal) and test periods are shown below for 7 fetal preparations:
The mean basal urine pH was 6.91 and the minimum was 5.97 following acid loading. These studies demonstrate that the fetal kidney is able to increase hydrogen ion excretion significantly in response to acid loading. (SPR)
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Smith, F., Bashore, R. 48 Urinary Acid Excretion in the Intact Lamb Fetus. Pediatr Res 1, 212 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-196705000-00055
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-196705000-00055