Integration of Water and Energy Balance in Hummingbirds

蜂鸟的高代谢主要是由 花蜜中含有的糖，但与糖一起沿着被消耗， 过量的水，可以达到几倍的鸟自己的身体 质量每天。 蜂鸟的肾脏和胃肠道 因此，在调节 水电解质和能量平衡 Beuchat描述了一系列 实验，包括GFR和管状水的测量 肾脏中的重吸收，以及肾脏中的水和葡萄糖吸收。 肠道，它将分离出 蜂鸟用来调节能量、水分和 电解质平衡 该项目的重点是基本的肾功能 以及肾肠功能的整合， 蜂鸟将提供关于 这些动物的生理。 从更广泛的角度来看，这项研究 将是第一个仔细研究神经调节生理学的人 作为研究的模式生物的鸟类或哺乳动物的 慢性利尿。 最后，本研究将首先进行体内试验 假设细胞旁液流量由Na+-激活， 耦合葡萄糖转运可以在营养中发挥重要作用， 在脊椎动物中的摄取。

The high metabolism of hummingbirds is fueled principally by the sugar found in nectar, but consumed along with the sugar is an excess of water that can amount to several time the bird's own body mass per day. In hummingbirds, the kidney and the gastrointestinal tract mush consequently play coordinated roles in the regulation of water, electrolyte, and energy balance. Beuchat describes a series of experiments, including measurements of GFR and tubular water reabsorption in the kidney, and of water and glucose absorption in the intestine, that will isolate fundamental components of the mechanisms hummingbirds use to regulate energy, water, and electrolyte balance. The project's focus on basic kidney function and on the integration of renal with intestinal function in hummingbirds will provide fundamental information about the physiology of these animals. In a broader perspective, this study will be the first to closely examine the osmoregulatory physiology of a bird or mammal that is a model organism for the study of chronic diuresis. Finally, this study will be first in vivo test of the hypothesis that paracellular fluid flux activated by Na+- coupled glucose transport can play a significant role in nutrient uptake in vertebrates.