Structural and functional studies of the adrenal cortex and renal juxtaglomerular apparatus in pregnant sheep subjected to sodium depletion or loading.

The morphological changes in the adrenal cortex and renal juxtaglomerular apparatus have been examined in pregnant sheep subjected to sodium depletion or loading. These changes were similar to those found in non-pregnant sheep in response to sodium depletion or loading, with the additional finding of interstitial edema in the zona glomerulosa of sheep with twin fetuses. As in non-pregnant sheep, sodium depletion resulted in evidence of juxtaglomerular peripolar cell granule release. The major finding was that sodium depletion in sheep with twin fetuses triggered the onset of ovine toxemia or "twin lamb disease".