[Effect of chorionic gonadotropin on water diuresis and electrolyte excretion in rats]

Experiments on male rats were made to study the effect of chorionic gonadotropin (CG) on water diuresis and electrolyte excretion. CG was injected parenterally in a dose of 200 U/100 g bw for 1, 10 and 20 days. The volume of diuresis during the first hour decreased because of a rise in water reabsorption. It was demonstrated that CG was capable of raising membrane permeability of the frog urinary bladder. Sodium excretion fell proportionally to the duration of CG injections. The blood aldosterone dropped after a single CG injection and ascended 20 days after injection. Potassium, calcium and magnesium excretion decreased after CG injections. It is suggested that CG may play an important part in the retention of mineral substances during pregnancy while its excess may be involved in the genesis of late toxemia of pregnancy.