19-Nor-Deoxycorticosterone Excretion in Rats Bred for Susceptibility and Resistance to the Hypertensive Effects of Salt*

Rats susceptible (S/JR) and resistance (R/JR) to the hypertensive effect of salt were weaned at 28 days of age and placed on a high salt intake. Blood pressure, measured at 4-5 and 8-9 weeks of age (after 5 weeks of high salt intake), demonstrated a slight increase in R/JR rats and a highly significant increase in S/JR rats. Urinary fee 19-nor-deoxycorticosterone (19-nor-DOC) levels measured in weekly urine collections were found to be markedly elevated in S/JR rats compared to levels in R/JR rats. Since 19-nor-DOC has been shown to be a potent mineralocorticoid, the results suggest that elevated production of 19-nor-DOC may have a role in hypertension in rats susceptible to the hypertensive effects of salt.