Saline-induced natriuresis in the dog without prior exposure of the kidney to the physical effects of expansion of the extracellular fluid compartment.

1. Experiments were carried out in dogs in which renal perfusion pressure was reduced 40 min before beginning expansion of the extracellular fluid space by 10% with isotonic sodium chloride solution. Sodium excretion increased up to 590% of control values in spite of the fact that the filtered load of sodium was below that of the control period and circulating mineralocorticoids were not suppressed. 2. The findings indicate that, in the dog, prior exposure of the kidney to the volume-expanded state is not a prerequisite for natriuresis to occur.