Effects of prenatal and early postnatal sodium deprivation on subsequent adult thirst and salt preference in rats

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
From day 2 or 3 of pregnancy through 12 days postpartum, rats were maintained on either a Na-free diet or the same diet with 1% NaCl added. The Na-deprived animals were given a supplement of 1.5 mmol NaCl on days 15-17 of pregnancy. In the Na-deprived mothers, Na concentrations in plasma, urine and milk was decreased and hematocrit was increased. The Na-deprived offspring were smaller, had reduced plasma and urine Na concentration, increased urine K concentration and increased hematocrit. Beginning at age 12 days, both groups of offspring received regular rat chow containing 1% NaCl. As adults, the offspring were not different with regard to plasma Na concentration, plasma osmolality, hematocrit and body weight. Their urinary water and Na losses were normal in response to water and Na deprivation, respectively. The offspring of Na-deprived mothers had, as adults, a consistently elevated fluid turnover. They drank approximately 20% more water than did the offspring of normally fed mothers regardless of whether water was the only fluid available, whether saline was also provided or whether a Na free diet was ingested. Salt-appetite, as judged by a 2-bottle salt preference test, was similar in the 2 groups. Some factor apparently affected the brain during the early period of Na deprivation to produce a permanent facilitation of thirst.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: