Renal excretion of monovalent cations during functional adrenalectomy in conscious sheep

In sheep with both adrenals removed and one re-implanted in the neck, functional adrenalectomy was produced in conscious undisturbed animals by occluding the blood supply to the transplanted gland. Functional adrenalectomy caused a fall in potassium excretion and a very large increase in sodium excretion and was reversed by aldosterone. Hydrocortisone infusions slightly increased potassium excretion and reduced solute-free water reabsorption. Preliminary evidence suggests that potassium secretion into urine was still occurring during the 8 hr period of adrenal occlusion and functional adrenalectomy.