Effect of hydration on renal activity in a deserticole rodent, Gerbillus tarabuli, subjected to a water-rich diet
Abstract
S. Seddiki* and N. Lebaili
Our work aims to study the effects of hydration (7 days) on the morpho-functional aspect of the kidneys in a rodent deserticola, Gerbillus tarabuli, well adapted to water scarcity. Fifteen adult gerbils of mixed-sex are subject to a water-rich diet (15 HG) consisting of lettuce, dates, and barley grains. During seven days, no-hydrated gerbils (15 NHG) receive only barley grains and dates. At the end of the experiment, gerbils were sacrificed, and the kidneys were intended for histological and immunohistochemical study. We examined the renal distribution and expression of aquaporins (AQP1 and AQP2) in the kidneys, and the blood was used for the determination of renal biochemical parameters. Our study's results show that hydration leads to reducing the body weight of gerbils, increasing the relative weights of the kidneys, and decreasing the plasma levels of creatinine, urea, and uric acid at the end of the 7th day. Structurally, the glomeruli have an extension in the glomerular chamber during hydration. Gerbillus tarabuli adopt a strategy to conserve body water, and this strategy is essential for adaptation and survival in dry and semi-arid desert areas. These results indicate that gerbils have renal activity that is well-suited for low-water hydration; hydration is viewed as a stress factor stimulating the renal activity in order to maintain renal hydromineral balance.