1. Acute chloride depletion, without sodium depletion, was produced in rats by a single exchange peritoneal dialysis against sodium bicarbonate solution. Blood volume was restored after dialysis by infusion of salt-free albumin, and exogenous deoxycorticosterone and antidiuretic hormone were given.
2. Clearance studies in the period (3 h) after dialysis revealed no difference in the glomerular filtration rate or in the filtered sodium load between experimental and control rats but urinary sodium concentrations and absolute and fractional sodium excretion were significantly higher in the chloride-depleted group.
3. There was also a significant kaliuresis, increased urinary flow rate and diminished free water reabsorption. Urinary bicarbonate excretion increased to a variable degree but the major rise in anion excretion was ‘unmeasured’ (Na+ + K+ — [Cl− +HCO3− +PO43-]).
4. It is postulated that chloride depletion imposes limitations on sodium reabsorption in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle.
