Association of prostaglandin metabolism with urine volume; dissociation from excretion of Na+ and K+ by stress.

Stress induced by routine cage cleaning causes retention of Na+ and K+, and increased water and prostaglandin metabolite excretion when measured either against concurrent-controls or against self-control values. This novel stress completely masked the diuretic effects of a long-acting prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor previously observed in a stress-free environment. The results show that prostaglandin synthesis and urine volume regulation are closely associated. They also demonstrate a complete dissociation of urine volume and prostaglandin synthesis regulation from electrolyte regulatory mechanisms in a stressful environment.