Circadian rhythms of serum renin activity and serum corticosterone, prolactin, and aldosterone concentrations in the male rat on normal and low-sodium diets.

To investigate the control of aldosterone secretion, non-stress levels of serum aldosterone, corticosterone, and prolactin, and renin activity were determined at 4-h intervals during 24-h light-dark cycles in adult male rats on regular and low-sodium diets. Circadian rhythms of plasma aldosterone, prolactin, and corticosterone concentrations and of serum renin activity were demonstrated during a regular sodium diet. When the rats were on a low-sodium diet, a circadian rhythm of serum corticosterone and aldosterone concentration was observed, but there was no circadian variation in serum renin activity or in serum prolactin concentration. Serum aldosterone concentration correlated with serum corticosterone concentration (r = 0.48) and serum renin activity (r = 0.36) during a low-sodium diet. Serum prolactin concentration did not correlate with serum aldosterone concentration or serum osmolality. These data are compatible with a role for renin and ACTH, but not for prolactin, in the modulation of aldosterone secretion in the rat.