A constant electrical activity of the renal pelvis correlated to ureteral peristalsis.
Using a bipolar macroelectrode, simultaneous recordings of both pelvic and ureteral electromyograms (EMG) were carried out in dogs. The recordings were performed at 3 stages of urine flow; oliguric, increasing and diuretic stages. The results showed that the interval of the pelvic discharge was constant while its speed of propagation was slower than that of the ureter (1.32 cm/sec and 2.12 cm/sec, respectively). At oliguric stage the interperstaltic interval in the ureter constituted a multiple of the pelvic discharge interval. Ureteral peristaltic rate reached that of the renal pelvis with increasing urine flow. These results are discussed in relation to a hypothesis of a renal pacemaker.
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004576:Electromyography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008954:Models, Biological; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D010507:Periodicity; D011312:Pressure; D014513:Ureter / Q000502:physiology*