Effects of Adrenocortical and Neurohypophysial Hormones on the Renal Excretory Pattern in the Water-Loaded Duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

Abstract

The effects of adrenocortical and mammalian neurohypophysial hormones on the renal excretory pattern of the intact water-loaded domestic duck were examined. Cortisol and corticostsrone appeared to have essentially the same qualitative properties with respect to the renal excretion of water, sodium and potassium as those described for these hormones in mammals. Aldosterone, however, reduced the excretion of both sodium and potassium in these experiments. The antidiuretic effects of oxytocin and vasopressin were dependent on dose. Indeed, at the lowest doses, vasopressin had no significant effect on water excretion and oxytocin was diuretic. Both oxytocin and vasopressin reduced the excretion of potassium, but, while oxytocin enhanced the excretion of sodium, vasopressin had no significant effect.