Serum Sodium, Potassium and Chloride a F T E R Suprarenalectomy in Cats W I T H Diabetes Insipidus by Charles

Many investigators (1-11) have shown that changes occur in the concentration of serum electrolytes during suprarenal insufficiency. There is evidence that these changes are due to shifts of such ions within the body fluids, and some workers (2, 3) have suggested that the kidney may be one of the sites of action of the suprarenal cortical hormone regulating serum electrolytes. Animals with diabetes insipidus show a relatively unrestrained loss of fluids via the kidney due to lack of the antidiuretic hormone of the posterior lobe of the pituitary. I t has been maintained by certain clinical investigators that patients with this disease also show disturbances in the metabolism and excretion of sodium and chloride, and it is well known that administration of posterior pituitary substance promotes the excretion of salt. I t is, therefore, of interest to observe the changes in serum sodium, potassium and chloride following removal of the suprarenals in cats with diabetes insipidus.