EFFECT OF DESALIVATION ON WATER AND SODIUM-CHLORIDE INTAKE IN RATS

Desalivate rats consumed significantly less water than sham-operated r ats in response to acute challenges with a variety of dipsogens, inclu ding polyethelene glycol (PEG), isoproterenol, serotonin, and an angio tensin I converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI). Nonsignificant reductions were recorded after treatments with either angiotensin II or hypertoni c NaCl. Meal-related hyperdipsia, and resultant possible hyperhydratio n, of desalivate rats does not account fully for these reductions in e xperimental thirsts. The mean 24-h intake of three concentrations of N aCl, in choice with water, showed no difference in the preferences for NaCl of desalivate and sham-operated animals. During chronic administ ration of CEIs, both desalivate and sham-operated rats showed comparab le induction of NaCl appetite.