Abstract
Summary
The effect of nephrectomy and ureteral ligation on the plasma zinc levels of zinc-supplemented and unsupplemented rats was studied. Bilateral nephrectomy, and to a greater extent bilateral ureteral ligation, resulted in a significant lowering of plasma zinc in the unsupplemented rats. Sham operation caused a lesser but significant lowering of plasma zinc which was not different from the effect of unilateral nephrectomy or unilateral ureteral ligation. Adding zinc to the drinking fluid of the bilateral nephrectomized rats raised their plasma zinc levels to that of sham-operated controls, but had no effect on the plasma zinc levels of the bilateral ureteral-ligated rats.
We thank Mr. Antonio B. Ogo for his technical assistance.
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