Vitamin D3 and the renal handling of phosphate in American eels

Abstract: Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D₃) increased plasma inorganic phosphate concentration in American eels,Anguilla rostrata, in a dose-dependent fashion. This response was more marked in phosphate loaded fish. In control as well as phosphate loaded eels the hyperphosphatemic response to D₃ was associated with a sharp reduction in renal phosphate clearance relative to¹⁴C-polyethelene glycol (PEG) clearance. Glomerular filtration and urine flow rates were not affected by D₃. As renal phosphate clearance, even in phosphate loaded eels, never significantly exceeded that of PEG, it is suggested that D₃ reduced the relative clearance rate of phosphate by increasing renal phosphate reabsorption rather than by reducing the tubular secretion of phosphate.