THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PRIMING DOSES OF DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE ACETATE IN PROTECTING THE ADRENALECTOMIZED DOG AGAINST WATER INTOXICATION

Abstract

In a study of the protective action of desoxycorticosterone acetate against water intoxication in the adrenalectomized dog, a dose of 25 cc/kg of distilled water was given hourly to 11 intact, 11 untreated adrenalectomized, 3 cortical extract primed, adrenalectomized, and 11 desoxycorticosterone acetate primed adrenalectomized dogs. This rate of water adm. was suf-ficient to produce convulsions in only 6 of the intact dogs, and these required at least 10 adm. The variable appeared to lie in the respective abilities to excrete the excess water. Convulsions were produced when the urine flow fell behind the fluid intake, and the body fluids were hydrated to around 121%. No more than 6 water adms. produced convulsions in all untreated adrenalectomized dogs, a susceptibility due primarily to renal failure. Convulsions were produced when the body water was 115% of the initial. Priming with cortical extract restored to normal both renal function and the hydration level at which convulsions appeared. Desoxycorticosterone acetate also restored both factors to that of the intact animal, and hence effectively protected the adrenalectomized dog against water intoxication.