Mechanisms by which the pregnant ewe can sustain increased salt and water supply to the fetus

Abstract

1. Nine chronically catheterized pregnant ewes were monitored before, during and after 1 week in which fetal urine was drained continuously, to determine whether they could compensate for the resulting loss of salt and water and increase net supply across the placenta to the fetus. 2. Fetal growth and urine and lung liquid production were not affected by loss of all fetal fluids. 3. When fetal urine was drained, the increase (P less than 0.05) in maternal drinking was greater than the extra amount of fluid lost. Thus, maternal plasma osmolality fell (P less than 0.01). When fetal urine again flowed into the amniotic and allantoic cavities, maternal drinking did not fall significantly and plasma osmolality remained low. Maternal urine flow rate increased (P less than 0.05) and its osmolality fell (P less than 0.02). 4. Maternal food intake increased (P less than 0.005) during fetal urine drainage. 5. Maternal plasma renin activity increased (P less than 0.05), her urinary sodium excretion fell (P less than 0.005) and the Na(+)-K+ ratio in both her urine and faeces decreased (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.05 respectively) when fetal urine was drained. Maternal urinary and faecal sodium conservation continued after drainage ceased because of continued loss of sodium in lung liquid. 6. It is concluded that the ewe can compensate for inappropriate loss of salt and water from the conceptus.