Natriumgebrek bij ratten

Rats on a diet of rolled oats 400, purified casein. 16 and cod liver oil 2 g developed severe sodium deficiency. Na in the basal ration was 0.009 %. Addition of different sodium salts caused immediate recovery. The deficiency was difficult to produce because of uncontrolled sodium uptake by the craving animals. Symptoms included increased activity, depression of growth and finally even weight loss, decreased fur growth, thinning and ulceration of bald spots left and right of the spine and just behind the head, excessive licking and dehydration.

With sodium citrate added to the basal ration there was a positive correlation between amount of sodium and rate of resumed growth. Optimum growth was achieved with 0. 1 - 0.2 % added Na. Na could not be replaced by K or Li. K did not possess the Na-expelling effect postulated by Bunge because Na requirement was independent of K in feed and because a fixed addition of Na gave a reproducible growth in depleted rats, however much K in diet. N excretion during deficiency mainly as urea, was excessive, and it seemed that Na was needed for protein synthesis. Conception was normal but reproduction was impossible. Weight gain during pregnancy was much reduced and no milk was secreted. After severe Na deficiency kidneys could not conserve sodium until an ample supply had been available for a short while. Body temperature was normal during deficiency but was rather high some time after resupplying sodium.