Increased Sodium Chloride Appetite during Pregnancy in the Rat

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Abstract
It was the purpose of this study to determine whether an increased appetite for NaCl could prevent the previously observed deleterious effects of Na restriction during pregnancy in the rat. Both NaCl solution and distilled water were made available to nonpregnant and pregnant rats given adequate or restricted levels of dietary Na intake. Although no differences appeared in the total fluid consumption by rats given the two levels of Na intake, the proportion of fluid intake from NaCl solution and distilled water was significantly different and dependent upon dietary Na level. The biochemical, histological, and histochemical effects of restricted Na intake during pregnancy previously reported by this laboratory did not appear in animals with access to NaCl solution. The data clearly indicate an increased appetite for NaCl during pregnancy which leads to increased intake. If this is permitted to operate, extraordinary stress on the renin-aldosterone mechanism of Na conservation is prevented.