Figure 3. Response of NHE3^loxloxCre and Con mice to low NaCl intake.

In response to low NaCl intake Con mice did not show a significant weight change; however, NHE3^loxloxCre mice show a subtle but significant decrease in body weight over the 10 day experimental period (A). Fluid intake was significantly lower in NHE3^loxloxCre mice compared to baseline during the experimental period, but remained significantly higher than Con mice throughout the treatment. In Con mice, fluid intake was only significantly different from baseline on day 1 of low dietary NaCl (B). Both genotypes show comparable reductions in NaCl intake which was not significantly different between genotypes during the experimental period (C). In response to low NaCl intake, urinary Na⁺/creatinine decreased and was not significantly different between genotypes (D). In metabolic cage experiments, Na⁺ intake (E) was comparable and urinary Na⁺ excretion (F) was not different between genotypes. Urinary pH decreased in both genotypes; however, remained significantly higher in NHE3^loxloxCre mice (G). n = 6–7/genotype. *P < 0.05 versus Con, ^#P < 0.05 versus baseline (day 0) same genotype.