College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University DigitalCommons@CSB/SJU Honors Theses, 1963-2015 Honors Program 5-2015 Urea Concentration and Hsp70 Expression in the Kidney of Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels during Diuresis and Antidiuresis Ryan M. O'Gara College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/honors_theses Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation O'Gara, Ryan M., "Urea Concentration and Hsp70 Expression in the Kidney of Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels during Diuresis and Antidiuresis" (2015). Honors Theses, 1963-2015. 86. https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/honors_theses/86 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@CSB/SJU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses, 1963-2015 by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@CSB/SJU. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Urea Concentration and Hsp70 Expression in the Kidney of Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels during Diuresis and Antidiuresis AN HONORS THESIS College of St. Benedict / St. John’s University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Distinction in the Department of Biology by Ryan O’Gara May, 2015 Abstract. During bouts of torpor hibernating animals have greatly reduced metabolic rates leading to profound decreases in body temperature and blood pressure. As a result of these conditions, kidney filtration and the ability to concentrate urine cease. Once a week, however, hibernators rewarm to euthermic body temperatures and regain kidney function. This is associated with rapid changes in extracellular osmotic gradients within the kidney, a remarkable feat but one that is potentially damaging to kidney cells.