The excretion of salt load by the developing chick embryo

Salt loads (0.17 or 0.34 mmol Na+; 6 M NaCl solution labelled with 24Na) were administered into the amnion of 7-day-old chick embryos. The 24Na distribution in embryonic blood, amniotic and allantoic fluids was measured in 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h intervals to assess the kinetics of salt load movements in particular egg compartments. The aim was to estimate the efficiency of the embryonic homeostatic apparatus to maintain ionic balance in the internal environment of the embryonic body. The Na+ concentration in amniotic fluid was expected to rise after salt loading by about 275 and 400 mM, respectively. More than 10% of the salt dose per ml appeared in the embryonic blood 2 h after salt load administration while only 0.2% were found in the urine (collected as allantonic fluid). The maximal rise of 24Na activity in the blood of salt-loaded embryos reached 11%-12% of the dose which corresponded to an increase of Na+ concentration by 19 and 41 mM, respectively. The maximum of 24Na activity appeared in the allantoic fluid with a delay of several hours and indicated an increment of Na+ concentration by 6% and 9% of the dose per ml in the case of salt-loaded embryos. The Na+ concentration in the allantoic fluid (urine) never exceeded that in the blood. The final Na+ activity (estimated in the blood 24 h after salt loading) was equal to 5% of the dose per ml in both cases, indicating a persistent elevation of Na+ concentration by 8.6 and 17.2 mM, respectively.