Urine Formation

Subjects: First year students in Medical Physiology

Materials: wide-mouth collecting bottles (1 liter capacity), graduated cylinders, 1 liter of 0.9% NaCl
solution, 1 liter of 5% glucose, 1 liter of distilled water, urine dipstick determination for pH and specific
gravity

Preparations:
Subjects: 4 volunteer students for each section.

Experiment will be conducted during class in the morning.

Note: Dr. Solidum will brief the subjects before the lecture.

The subjects are advised to eat a light meal the evening prior to the experiment, after which
they will be placed on NPO (nothing per orem, nothing by mouth) 8 hours prior to the start of
the experiment. Note the types of food and fluid taken in prior to the experiment. Note any
medications being taken by the subject and any medical condition.

Procedures:
1. Collect the first urine sample at the start of the laboratory procedure. The first voided morning
urine will not be used in the experiment. Note the time of collection and subject this and all
other collected samples to following analysis:
a. Volume determination c. Sugar
b. Specific gravity d. Protein
c. pH
2. Collect the second sample after thirty minutes.
3. Immediately after collection of the second sample, the subject rapidly drinks one liter of the
following fluid assigned to them:
a. Distilled water c. 0.9% NaCl
b. 5% glucose d. None
4. Collect the third sample thirty minutes after drinking the fluid in #3.
5. Collect the fourth sample approximately 60 minutes after the third collection.
6. Record and tabulate the results.

Results:

Subject: Volume Specific

Distilled water Gravity pH Sugar Protein
First sample
Second sample
Third sample
Fourth sample
 Urine Formation

Subject: Volume Specific

5% Glucose Gravity pH Sugar Protein
solution
First sample
Second sample
Third sample
Fourth sample

Subject: Volume Specific

0.9% NaCl Gravity pH Sugar Protein
Solution
First sample
Second sample
Third sample
Fourth sample

Subject: Volume Specific

Control Gravity pH Sugar Protein
First sample
Second sample
Third sample
Fourth sample

Conclusion:

Study Questions:
1. What is the mechanism of renal concentration of the urine? Of renal dilution? What are the
physiologic means of activation of the concentrating and diluting ability of the kidney?
2. How do you account for the differences in the urinary excretion and composition seen in the
experiment?
3. What is the relationship between urinary volume and urinary solute excretion?
4. What is the significance of specific gravity measurement in the determination of urinary solute
concentration?