Halide concentrations in camel plasma in various states of hydration.

Instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis was used in determining the halide concentration of camel serum. The halides determined were sodium, chloride, bromide, and iodide. Serum was examined when the camels had free access to drinking water, following 10 d of water restriction and 2 h following rapid rehydration. When the camels were dehydrated there was a "serum storage" of iodide. This confirms the decline in thyroid metabolism previously described (15). Following rehydration the thyroid metabolism returned to normal. Dehydration also increased the serum bromide concentrations. This could have a tranquilizing effect, abetting the decrease in metabolism. There were no changes in sodium or chloride metabolism. It is concluded that use of neutron activation will allow an analysis of halides for physiological research.