Sodium and potassium balance during the administration of desoxycorticosterone in dogs with differing dietary sodium intakes

Metabolic alkalosis in the Yucatan miniature boar following desoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA) implantation

Metabolic alkalosis was induced in adult Yucatan miniature boars by subcutaneous implantation of desoxycorticosterone-acetate impregnated silicone rubber strips. Serum pH, bicarbonate, and PaCO2 increased rapidly and consistently following implantation. As in the dog and the rat, hypokalemia was accompanied by hypochloremia. As in the rabbit, hypokalemia developed in the presence of a decreased urinary output of potassium and apparent absence of kaliuresis. The pig is resistant to the paralytic effects of hypokalemia. Implantation of DOCA is an effective means of producing chronic metabolic alkalosis in the pig which is characterized by hypokalemia and hypochloremia.

Electrolyte and hormonal effects of deoxycorticosterone acetate in young pigs

Balances of sodium, potassium, and water were studied in the growing male pig as hypertension developed in response to subcutaneous implantation of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA). Serum sodium, potassium, deoxycorticosterone (DOC), aldosterone, and plasma renin activity (PRA) were determined. These variables were observed in a total of 10 experimental and nine control pigs. All animals were uninephrectomized and fed a diet of Purina Pig Chow and tap water ad libitum. No salt was added to the food or water. Serum DOC levels rose dramatically on the day of the implantation, then gradually declined but remained approximately 10 times greater than control levels 40 days after implant. Plasma renin activity was suppressed rapidly and completely, whereas aldosterone fell only slowly to about half its control value. Sodium retention was maximum during the first 24 hours. Therefore an "escape" process became operative, causing sodium balance to return to normal after the third day, at which time the major rise in arterial pressure occurred. A marked increase in water turnover (intake and output) also began after the third day and persisted throughout the experimental period. Water balance remained normal during this period of increased turnover. Hypokalemia developed in the absence of kaliuresis, suggesting that potassium moved into the cells. Except for the potassium retention, these changes parallel the abnormalities seen in other states of mineralocorticoid excess.