The Effects of Unilateral Nephrectomy on the Renal Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption of Unanesthetized Dogs1

Herrick, Essex and Baldes (1932), using the method of the ThermoStromuhr of Rein, found that removal of one kidney had no effect on the blood flow to the remaining kidney during the first three hours. Van Slyke, Rhoads, Hiller and Alving (1934), using unanesthetized dogs with an explanted kidney, calculated the renal blood flow by determining the rate of urea excretion and the decrease in blood urea content which occurred as the blood passed through the kidneys. The oxygen content of arterial blood and renal venous blood were determined and the oxygen consumption was calculated. They state, “Removal of one kidney was followed by an increase in the blood flow, oxygen consumption, and urea clearance of the remaining kidney. The increase in most cases appeared to reach its maximum within a month. The average increase in blood flow was 68 per cent, in oxygen consumption 81 per cent, and in urea clearance 43 per cent, of the enumerate the results of other 0 pre-operative values.” These authors bservers who have determined the rate of blood flow through one kidney of the dog, and state that their studies are the first which were performed without opera.tion or anesthesia. A method was described recently by Mason, Blalock and Harrison (1937) which enables one to determine directly the flow of blood through the kidneys of unanesthetized dogs and which also permits one to obtain renal venous blood for analysis. The present publication deals with the results of the application of this method to a study of the effects of unilateral nephrectomy on the renal blood flow and oxygen consumption as determined at varying intervals following the removal of the kidney. METHOD. M-attire dogs of unknown ages and weighing approximately 12 kgm. were used. They were trained to lie quietly upon the table. Their diet consisted of a standard kennel ration supplemented by meat three times each week. Food was withheld the 20 hours preceding the