The Mechanism of the Osmotic Adjustment of Body Cells as Determined IN VIVO BY THE VOLUME OF DISTRIBUTION OF A LARGE WATER LOAD1

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Abstract
In 25 experiments, 18 dogs were given large water loads under conditions which minimized or eliminated renal losses. Volume of distribution of the water load was calculated from the changes in plasma concentrations of Na and total solutes. In 10 experiments total body water content was simultaneously determined by the dilution of deuterium oxide. Volume of distribution of the water load as determined from the dilution of plasma solute (64.4% of body weight) and Na (61.2%) concentrations was equal to total body water content (63%) within the limits of experimental error. The findings indicate that in vivo the great majority of the body cells adjust to acute dilution of the extracellular fluid by a net movement of water into the cells so that the administered water load is distributed evenly over total body water content.

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