To better understand the adaptive mechanisms in Uromastyx acanthinura to the seasonal variations in the arid environment, the present study aimed to explore the kidney functional morphology involved in body water economy. These investigations were carried out by the histological, histochemical and immuno-histochemical methods using conventional light microscopy. The glomeruli number is estimated at 2000 per kidney. The glomeruli size is rather small and decreases significantly in winter. Interestingly, the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) is long and divided into two different segments which is one of the particularities of this species. Both of the distal convoluted tubule (DCT), connecting tubule (CnT) and collecting duct (CD) epithelium contains mucous cells. The nature and intensity of these mucous secretions vary according to seasons. The evident hypertrophy of the secondary collecting duct (SCD) and tertiary collecting duct (TCD) epithelium is related to the high secretory activity during spring, corresponding to the sexual segment of kidney (SSK).

Labeling with anti α-smooth muscle actin-1 showed a thick layer of mucularis surrounded the entire CD. Also, the mesangium of glomeruli contains myofibroblasts.

All these renal structural characteristics involved in body water economy may be considered as an adaptive mechanisms of U. acanthinura to resist to dehydration and cope with seasonal variations in the arid environment.

为了更好地了解Uromastyx acanthinura的适应机制针对干旱环境的季节性变化，本研究旨在探讨参与体内水分经济的肾脏功能形态。这些研究是使用常规光学显微镜通过组织学、组织化学和免疫组织化学方法进行的。每个肾的肾小球数量估计为 2000 个。肾小球的大小相当小，并在冬季显着减少。有趣的是，近曲小管 (PCT) 很长，分为两个不同的部分，这是该物种的特殊性之一。远曲小管 (DCT)、连接小管 (CnT) 和集合管 (CD) 上皮均含有粘液细胞。这些粘液分泌物的性质和强度因季节而异。

用抗 α-平滑肌肌动蛋白 1 标记显示整个 CD 周围有一层厚厚的粘液层。此外，肾小球系膜含有肌成纤维细胞。

身体水分经济中涉及的所有这些肾脏结构特征可以被认为是棘鱼抵抗脱水和应对干旱环境季节性变化的适应机制。