Effect of Oestradiol-17? on Plasma Levels of Sodium, Potassium and Chloride in the Laying Hens

摘要

Background and Objective: Many hormones are known to take part in the control of osmoregulatory processes. One of them is oestradiol, but its role in water and electrolyte balance has not been studied much in the vertebrates. This study determined the effects of low doses of oestradiol on plasma sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations in laying hens and effects of serial blood sampling. Materials and Methods: Hens were given an intramuscular injection of 0.6 mg (n = 12) or 0.06 mg (n = 12) oestradiol dipropionate and the control laying hens (n = 12) were given an intramuscular injection of sterile saline. Blood samples were taken from the vena basilica immediately before the oestradiol or saline injection and then 1, 2, 3, 24 and 96 h after treatment to determine the concentration of ions. The variations of ion concentrations were examined by one-way ANOVA. Results: No significant differences of sodium levels were established. Concentrations of potassium decreased significantly 24 h after injection of 0.06 mg oestradiol (p<0.04) and saline treatment (p<0.03) and 96 h after injection of 0.6 mg oestradiol (p<0.03). Concentrations of chloride increased markedly 2 h after injection of 0.06 mg oestradiol (p<0.002) and saline treatment (p<0.006) and 24 h after injection of 0.6 mg oestradiol (p<0.03). A fall in the chloride levels were recorded 96 h after oestradiol (p<0.005) as well as saline treatment (p<0.005). Conclusion: It was concluded that, oestradiol significantly decreased the plasma potassium level 96 h after treatment (p<0.03) and increased the plasma chloride levels 24 h after treatment (p<0.03), but did not affect plasma sodium levels.