Biomaterial Database

The metabolic effects of sodium depletion in calves on salt appetite assessed by operant methods. 1979

F R Bell, and J Sly

1. Sodium deficiency was induced in calves by unilateral exteriorization of the parotid duct, the continual loss of alkaline saliva from the body to the environment causing negative sodium balance. 2. The metabolic effect of negative sodium balance was seen in statistically significant reduction in plasma sodium and blood bicarbonate, together with marked acidosis and reduced plasma osmolality. 3. The homoeostatic response to sodium depletion was associated with a reversal of sodium/potassium ratio in parotid saliva and a reduction of the rate of secretion. Appetite diminished. The extracellular fluid was halved as marked diuresis developed with considerable weight loss. Urinary and faecal sodium was reduced to zero. 4. On restoration of sodium balance by allowing the calves to drink sodium bicarbonate solutions the metabolic deviations were eliminated. 5. During sodium depletion the parotid gland was able to respond to transient reflex stimulation by increasing flow rate and the sodium concentration of the saliva. 6. When sodium depleted, the calves became restless and agitated and would run from the home pen to the operant procedure stand. The sodium depleted animals readily pressed a panel for sodium bicarbonate rewards in direct proportion to the degree of sodium imbalance. When the balance was restored the motivation to work for sodium bicarbonate disappeared. 7. The motivation which developed during sodium depletion was directed specifically towards the sodium ion. Lithium was an exception to this rule and sodium carbonate was aversive. 8. It is possible that in sodium depletion the glottal sodium taste receptors develop an enhanced threshold for sodium ions because of the reduced sodium content of the saliva. This effect would be abolished when the content of sodium was restored in saliva. 9. The correlation of operant reactions and sodium depletion suggests that the consequential metabolic effects activate changes in the central nervous system. 10. The metabolic changes which develop in parallel with the severity of the sodium deficit appear to be able to evoke behavioural changes with increase in salt appetite directed towards restoration of sodium balance.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D010306	Parotid Gland	The largest of the three pairs of SALIVARY GLANDS. They lie on the sides of the FACE immediately below and in front of the EAR.	Gland, Parotid,Glands, Parotid,Parotid Glands
D001834	Body Water	Fluids composed mainly of water found within the body.	Water, Body
D002417	Cattle	Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor.	Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D003216	Conditioning, Operant	Learning situations in which the sequence responses of the subject are instrumental in producing reinforcement. When the correct response occurs, which involves the selection from among a repertoire of responses, the subject is immediately reinforced.	Instrumental Learning,Learning, Instrumental,Operant Conditioning,Conditionings, Operant,Instrumental Learnings,Learnings, Instrumental,Operant Conditionings
D005110	Extracellular Space	Interstitial space between cells, occupied by INTERSTITIAL FLUID as well as amorphous and fibrous substances. For organisms with a CELL WALL, the extracellular space includes everything outside of the CELL MEMBRANE including the PERIPLASM and the cell wall.	Intercellular Space,Extracellular Spaces,Intercellular Spaces,Space, Extracellular,Space, Intercellular,Spaces, Extracellular,Spaces, Intercellular
D005247	Feeding Behavior	Behavioral responses or sequences associated with eating including modes of feeding, rhythmic patterns of eating, and time intervals.	Dietary Habits,Eating Behavior,Faith-based Dietary Restrictions,Feeding Patterns,Feeding-Related Behavior,Food Habits,Diet Habits,Eating Habits,Behavior, Eating,Behavior, Feeding,Behavior, Feeding-Related,Behaviors, Eating,Behaviors, Feeding,Behaviors, Feeding-Related,Diet Habit,Dietary Habit,Dietary Restriction, Faith-based,Dietary Restrictions, Faith-based,Eating Behaviors,Eating Habit,Faith based Dietary Restrictions,Faith-based Dietary Restriction,Feeding Behaviors,Feeding Pattern,Feeding Related Behavior,Feeding-Related Behaviors,Food Habit,Habit, Diet,Habit, Dietary,Habit, Eating,Habit, Food,Habits, Diet,Pattern, Feeding,Patterns, Feeding,Restrictions, Faith-based Dietary
D006706	Homeostasis	The processes whereby the internal environment of an organism tends to remain balanced and stable.	Autoregulation
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001066	Appetite	Natural recurring desire for food. Alterations may be induced by APPETITE DEPRESSANTS or APPETITE STIMULANTS.	Appetite Alterations,Alteration, Appetite,Alterations, Appetite,Appetite Alteration,Appetites