The effect of carbon tetrachloride treatment on urine flow rate of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

Abstract

Urine flow rate (UFR) of rainbow trout was measured as an assessment of water balance after treatment with a single ip dose of CCl 4 (2.0 ml/kg). CCl 4 produced an oliguria or anuria as early as 1 hr post-treatment and a significant reduction in the 24-hr urine output. UFR for control fish appeared to follow a diurnal pattern. Additionally, CCl 4-treated fish had a significant increase in relative wet body weight that was negatively correlated to UFR. The rainbow trout normally excretes a hypoosmotic urine; therefore, an increase in urine osmolality and a slight proteinuria further suggested that treated fish had suffered an alteration in renal homeostasis. Histological examination of kidney tissue at 24 hr post-treatment revealed early, localized pathological changes; however, extensive morphological damage was absent. The early oliguria and the lack of demonstrable renal histopathological changes in CCl 4-treated rainbow trout suggest that the reduction in UFR was not the result of a direct toxic effect on the kidney.