Urinary responses to cold temperature during water immersion

D. R. Knight and S. M. Horvath If cold temperature combines with ambient water pressure to stimulate the Henry-Gauer reflex in humans, then free water clearance (CH2O) should be greater during immersion in cold water (29.8 degrees C) than during exposure to cold air (14.8 degrees C) or immersion in thermoneutral water (35 degrees C). Urinary responses to these environments were compared with control measurements made during 6 h of sitting in thermoneutral air (27.6 degrees C). CH2O was not significantly greater in cold water than in the other environments. Rather, the diuretic response was characterized by an increased osmolar clearance (P less than 0.05). Cold temperature and water pressure additively raised urinary output during cold water immersion, with ambient water pressure accounting for two-thirds of the urinary water loss. An elevated rate of sodium excretion (P less than 0.05) began significantly earlier in cold water than in thermoneutral water. This effect of low temperature might have resulted from cold-induced vasoconstriction, since cold temperatures was observed to reduce the foot volume. Sodium excretion was inversely proportional to vital capacity, indicating a responsiveness of the kidney to expansion of the central blood volume. In addition to the effects of water pressure and cold temperature, urinary function was also sensitive to time. The rate of potassium excretion was significantly elevated at min 199 of exposure to all environments. Failure of CH2O to increase above control values indicated that the human diuretic response to cold water immersion is atypical for the Henry-Gauer reflex.