Abstract
Eighteen ICR pregnant mice were assigned to control, 2% potassium chloride (KCl) or 5% KCl groups to clarify the effects of KCl level on body weight, feed intake, water intake, renal weight and renal function in pregnant and lactating mice, and 2% or 5% KCl was supplemented in KCl groups from 6.5 days post coitus to 14 days after parturition. Feed intake and water intake in mice increased rapidly immediately after parturition. Feed intake and body weight in mice during pregnancy and lactation was not affected by treatment, but water intake in lactating mice was accelerated with increased KCl level. Supplemental 5% KCl increased renal weights and serum K and Cl in lactating mice, but histological alteration using hematoxylin-eosin staining was not found in the kidneys of any mouse. These results suggest that feeding high KCl level accelerates water intake and renal weights in lactating mice and prevents renal function.
