ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN THE CHICKEN

Abstract

The blood pressures of chickens were measured at frequent intervals before, during and after periods of substitution of 0.9 and 1.2% of saline soln. for the drinking water. Some detns. of body wt., hemato-crit and blood vol. were also obtained. The avg. systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased progressively during the period of salt admn. from an avg. of 132/117 mm.Hg at the beginning of the increased salt intake to a maximum avg. value of 182/154 mm.Hg. The blood pressure fell promptly to control levels after the withdrawal of NaCl. Similar observations were made during 2 periods of salt admn. and 2 periods of return to the drinking of tap water. The degree of hypertension appeared to depend upon the concn. of salt in the ingested water. Hyper-plasia and proliferation of glomerular tufts and Bowman''s capsule with compression of the capillaries were found after prolonged periods of the substitution of saline for drinking water. This hyperplasia is reversible. The relation between the kidney and factors affecting salt metabolism in the production of this hypertension is discussed.