Fetal Renal Effects of Intrauterine Diuretic Application in Wistar Rats

The application of placenta-permeable diuretics in the pregnant woman has been the subject of controversial discussion (Friedberg 1980; Souster and Emery 1980). Not only is the fetus endangered by potential placental ischaemia, natrium and potassium loss and possible dehydration in the mother (Friedberg 1980; Gant and Madden 1975), but also induced effects on fetal organ formation should be considered (Frohneberg and Hutschenreiter 1982; Seufert 1986). Depending on the site of action and placental permeability, fetal urine production can be increased (Wladimiroff 1975), thus leading to consequences for the morphological and functional embryogenesis of isolated nephron sections (Frohneberg 1…