Abstract |
The changes of plasma renin activity, aldosterone
concentration, serum sodium, and potassium levels were
studied before and after the water loading followed by
diuretics injection. The materials were: 13 non-, 11
normal-, and 11 toxemic pregnancy cases. The plasma
renin activity and aldosterone concentration of the
cord and postpartum blood were also measured. Following
were the results: 1. The plasma renin activity was
elevated significantly in normal pregnancy, and
slightly in toxemic pregaancy. The serum sodium levels
were decreased in pregnancy. 2. The plasma aldosterone
concentration was slightly decreased in normal
pregnancy, and slightly increased in toxemic pregnancy,
however, statistically insignificant. 3. The plasma
renin activity of the cord and postpartum blood were
lower than those of pregnancy cases. 4. The changes of
plasma renin activity after the diuretic administration
showed an initial increase, which recovered within 2
hours. These changes were the least in normal
pregnancy, and the most in toxemic pregnancy. 5. The
changes of plasma aldosterone concentration after the
diuretic administration were similar to those of plasma
renin activity, although the variations were not so
wide. |