Postnatal Development of Renal Function in Piglets: Glomerular Filtration Rate, Clearance of PAH and PAH Extraction

Abstract

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), estimated as clearance of inulin, and clearance of p-aminohippuric acid (CPAH) were measured in 32 unanaesthetized piglets 1--62 days of age. During this period of time, GFR increased from 0.27 to 0.59 ml/min/g kidney and CPAH increased from 1.02 to 1.72 ml/min/g kidney. At 8 weeks of age, GFR and CPAH equaled adult values. In addition, renal PAH extraction (EPAH) was estimated in 12 anaesthetized piglets aged 1--79 days. EPAH increased from 0.75 at birth to 0.86 (adult value) at 3 weeks of age. The result shows a postnatal increase in renal functions in piglets, but the development from birth to adult level was less pronounced than seen in other animal species.