The Effect of Sodium Intake on Maternal Milk Electrolytes and Aldosterone, Corticosterone and 18-Hydroxydeoxy-corticosterone Production in the Offspring of Rats
The effects of decreased dietary sodium content during pregnancy and lactation on the activity of adrenal glands of the offspring were investigated. Low salt diet (0.3% of NaCl) increased the aldosterone production in newborn rats, on day 7 and on day 15 decreased the production of 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone only; on day 20 only the aldosterone production was increased. Based on the measurements of sodium and potassium concentrations in milk and urine of the offspring, the lasting effects of intrauterine conditions on newborn adrenal gland regulation and the adrenocortical regulatory system activity during the suckling period are discussed. This is done on the basis of literary evidence on amounts of the sodium and potassium required for body mass growth and the observation on the probable shortage of potassium supply in maternal milk towards the end of the suckling period.