Effects of Protein and Fluid Consumption Upon Plasma Volume and Circulating Protein in the Rat

Summary

1. Drastic changes in protein, fluid, and salt consumption do not produce striking changes in blood and plasma volumes of the rat, over the periods studied. 2. Increased fluid consumption produced an increase of about 10% in total blood volume and plasma volume at the end of 17 hours, only when salt consumption was simultaneously increased. 3. A high protein diet increased blood and plasma volumes slightly at the end of 7 days, but did not appreciably alter the serum protein concentration. 4. All protein-deficient diets reduced the total circulating protein by 15-20% at the end of 7 days.