Fluid and Electrolyte Shifts in the Hydrated Adrenalectomized Rat After Nephrectomy. ∗

Summary

Normal and 2-day adrenalectomized rats were nephrectomized and subsequently hydrated, thus making it possible to study the internal partitioning of relatively large amounts of ingested water. There was a delayed intestinal absorption of water in the adrenalectomized animals. A larger percentage of absorbed water shifted to the cells of these animals than was observed in the controls apparently as a result of salt depletion during the previous 2-day period of adrenal insufficiency. Although there was a tendency for desoxycorticosterone acetate therapy to enhance intestinal absorption and also to prevent the excessive intracellular hydration of the adrenalectomized animals, these extrarenal hormonal actions were not significantly established. Alterations in potassium metabolism were also briefly discussed.