Urinary protein excretion in red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus)

Abstract

Urinary protein excretion by red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) was examined by measuring total protein concentrations in the ureteral urine and by comparing the proteins in the urine with plasma proteins. Protein concentration in the ureteral urine did not differ between males and females, and averaged 2.01 mg/ml. Gel electrophoresis showed many plasma proteins (30–149 kD) also present in the urine. Serum albumin is the most abundant protein, comprising approximately 50% of the total protein concentration in the plasma and 60% of the total protein concentration in the urine. Urinary protein, and particularly serum albumin, may be important in packaging uric acid in spheres, which facilitates excretion of uric acid without formation of large crystals that could block renal tubules.