Voluntary Sodium Chloride Intake of Two Strains of Rats with Opposite Genetic Susceptibility to Experimental Hypertension. ∗

Summary

Given a free choice of either saline solution or water to drink, rats from a strain with a strong genetic predisposition to hypertension ingested less saline solution than did those from a strain genetically resistant to developing hypertension. Administration of DOC abolished this difference, but adrenalectomy did not. Studies by others have shown that in some forms of experimental hypertension, rats have a relative aversion for saline. Although it is highly unlikely that frank hypertension was present in any animals used in these studies, animals from the strain predisposed to hypertension are known to have basal pressures 10-20 mm Hg higher than in the other strain. If such relative elevations are considered to be evidence of the ^apre-hypertensive“ phase, the aversion for saline might be taken as early evidence of developing hypertension(7). Some speculations concerning genetic relations among saline appetite, blood pressure and hypothalamic function were given.