DISTURBANCES OF WATER BALANCE IN THE RAT ON REMOVAL OF THE ADRENAL MEDULLA

Abstract

In an investigation on hair loss in medullectomized animals [Stein & Wertheimer, 1941] skin disturbances which suggested some interference in the water metabolism were noted. Changes in water balance, related in part to disturbances in the mineral balance, are well known after adrenalectomy. The question whether absence of the adrenal medulla contributes to the disturbance of the water balance remained open. In the present investigation the water balance of medullectomized rats is investigated by (1) water diuresis tests, (2) water intoxication experiments, and (3) normal drinking tests. ANIMAL MATERIAL Male albino rats of laboratory rearing were employed for the experiments. Their average weight was 200 g. (160–250 g.). METHOD OF MEDULLECTOMY Medullectomy was effected by the methods of Evans [1935] and Ingle & Higgins [1938] under ether narcosis. In a small number of cases, the adrenal capsule was torn open with a fine-toothed forceps and then bluntly enucleated. In sham-operated