Effects of aldosterone and corticosterone on cloacal water and electrolyte excretion of constantly-loaded intact and colostomized ducks (Anas platyrhynchos).

1. Doses of aldosterone (50, 100 and 200 micrograms per kg body wt) evoked similar changes in Na+ and K+ excretion by intact and colostomized ducks loaded with either distilled water or 0.5 isotonic saline (70 mM NaCl, 1.5 mM KCl); both antinatriuretic and antikaliuretic responses were observed. 2. The lowest dose of aldosterone had no effect on electrlyte excretion in intact and colostomized ducks loaded with a solution containing more K+ than Na+ (74 mM KCl, 36 mM NaCl) but the higher doses caused an antinatriuretic response in both groups; a retention of K+ occurred only in intact birds given this solution. 3. The lower dose of corticosterone (1.25 mg per kg body weight) caused both antidiuresis and antinatriuresis in intact birds, but in colostomized birds the decrease in Na+ excretion was not accompanied by an antidiuresis. 4. The higher dose of corticosterone (2.50 mg per kg body wt) caused a significant increase in K+ excretion in colostomized birds, whereas no kaliuresis was ever observed in intact birds. 5. Intact and colostomized birds loaded with 0.5 isotonic saline showed no responses to the lower dose of corticosterone, whereas the higher dose had an antikaliuretic effect in intact birds and an antinatriuretic effect in colostomized birds. 6. Corticosterone had no effect on cloacal water and electrolyte excretion by intact and colostomized birds given loads containing more K+ than Na+.