Nephron function of the transplanted rat kidney.

Tubular function in the early phase (one to three hours) after transplantation of rat kidneys was analyzed with respect to glomerular filtration, vascular and tubular pressures, and excretory variables. Kidneys exposed to a short period of cold ischemia (two hours) functioned almost normally, except for a polyuria. After 12 and 16 hr of cold ischemia, nephron heterogeneity appeared with 1) "normal" tubules, 2) dilated tubules, and 3) collapsed tubules. In the "normal" tubules, the pressure was increased to 20 mm Hg, and the filtration was reduced in proportion to the mean net driving force. The dilated tubules had no filtration due to a more or less complete tubular obstruction, probably located in the thin loop of Henle and in the collecting ducts. The collapsed tubules had no filtration due to glomerular ischemia, which in turn might be the consequence of afferent arteriolar constriction. The total GFR was greatly reduced since only the "normal" tubules contributed to the total filtration. Concentrating ability and potassium secretion were also impaired. We interpreted this impairment as being due to medullary dysfunction, which would explain the isosthenuria and the impaired potassium transport.