Factors Which Determine Renal Weight

The administration of a diet containing 0.4 per cent desiccated thyroid to male albino rats from 26 to 70 days of age was followed by a marked increase in the weight of the kidneys. This increase in renal weight was greater than could be accounted for by the increase in protein intake incident to the increased food consumption which followed the administration of thyroid. This result is contrasted with the decrease in the weight of the kidneys which results from removal of the thyroid gland. It is suggested that the influence of the thyroid on kidney weight may be through its effect upon the maintenance metabolism of the organism.