Abstract
1. Prevention of weaning prevents the increase in the carrier affinity for Na(+)-cotransported phosphate (Pi) and the normal elevation of plasma 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) which occur between postnatal days 14 and 21. 2. This study examines the possible role of T3 in the control of the maturation process of Pi transport. Clearance experiments and brush-border membrane studies were performed on 14-day-old rats given T3. 3. The fractional excretion of Pi of T3-treated rats was 33% lower compared with controls (P < 0.01). After Pi perfusion, it remained at a lower level, and the amount of Pi reabsorbed per minute, corrected for the glomerular filtration rate (RPi/GFR), was higher. 4. The membrane vesicles from 14-day-old rats given T3 showed a 30% increase in carrier affinity for Na(+)-cotransported Pi. In addition to this maturational effect of T3, a 46% increase in Vmax was also observed. 5. The amount of immunoreactive Pi transporter, detected using anti-(NaPi-2) antiserum, was increased in T3-treated rats. 6. Glucose transport, another Na(+)-dependent transport system, was not altered by T3. 7. It is concluded that exogenous T3 given before the third postnatal week specifically induced precocious maturation of renal Pi transport in 14-day-old rats, suggesting that thyroid hormone is normally involved in this maturation.