title: Detection of Na+ and K+ in the rat adrenal cortex with the electron microprobe.
abstract: 1. In order to demonstrate whether modification of aldosterone secretion is mediated by parallel changes of K+ in the adrenal zona glomerulosa, the total (intracellular+extracellular) Na+ and K+ content of the rat adrenal cortex was determined with the electron microprobe. 2. Groups of rats were submitted to one of the following dietary regimens: standard, low Na+, high K+ or high Na+. 3. Distribution of Na+ and K+ across the zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata was compared. Standards of known electrolyte concentration were also analysed. 4. The [Na+] was found to be greater in the zona glomerulosa than in the zona fasciculata but K+ was distributed evenly in both zones. This was independent of dietary regimen. 5. Aldosterone production, assessed by plasma aldosterone concentrations, could not be correlated with zona glomerulosa K+ content.
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000032:analysis*; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D008297:Male; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000450:Aldosterone; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D003345:Corticosterone