The rapid adjustment of renal sodium excretion to changes in dietary sodium intake in sheep

The rapidity with which the kidney alters sodium excretion (ENa) in response to changes in dietary Na was studied in Merino sheep by analyzing hourly ENa for three control days, and then for three days after a change in Na intake. On a control diet of 117 mmol Na, sheep had a pre-feeding ENa of 3.5 mmol/hr., a striking post-feeding natriuresis that began 2 hours after feeding (less than 0.01), peaked at 4 hrs. and then declined to pre-feeding levels 7 hrs. after feeding. When in balance on a high Na diet the feeding of a low Na meal resulted in marked depression of ENa within 4 hours after feeding. On a low Na diet, a 100 mmol Na meal resulted in an increase in ENa within 4 hours but a 50 mmol Na meal did not. Thus, the sensitivity of post-feeding natriuresis is between 50 and 100 mmols Na. As post feeding natriuresis is a naturally occurring physiological event it should provide a useful paradigm for the investigation of mechanisms controlling Na balance.