THE SALT AND WATER METABOLISM OF ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY AND PARTIAL STARVATION IN RATS 1

Abstract

-Balance studies wore made on rats before and after bilateral adrenalectomy and following salt therapy in rats with adrenal insufficiency for Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, P, and N. Similar studios were carried out in rats subjected to partial starvation. The changes in the salt balances in partial starvation were similar to but of a lesser degree than those occurring during adrenal insufficiency. At the same level of food and water consumption, the losses of Na, K, and Cl (salts related to body water) were much larger during adrenal insufficiency than (hiring partial starvation. The losses of Na, K, and the other electrolytes investigated during adrenal insufficiency seem not to depend upon the regulation of these individual salts by the adrenal cortex, but upon the influence of this gland on the general salt and water balances and the other undernutritions associated with this deficiency.