Effects of dehydration and rehydration on plasma vasopressin and aldosterone in horses

We have investigated the change in plasma vasopressin and aldosterone concentrations in Namib (desert-adapted) and in control horses from a subtropical region, during an acute 12% dehydration and during rehydration, while food was available. During dehydration, vasopressin concentrations increased significantly in both groups of horses, but the increase was significantly greater in Namib horses than in control horses. During rehydration, vasopressin levels fell, but fell significantly less in Namib horses. The change in vasopressin concentration correlated significantly with plasma osmolality ( r = 0.88, p < 0.001), and the relationship between these two variables was the same for both groups of horses during the dehydrated and rehydrated states. Aldosterone concentrations fell up to 48-h dehydration in both groups, but decreased significantly more in desert horses. From 48-h dehydration and during rehydration, aldosterone concentrations increased and the increase was sustained longer in Namib than in control horses. Changes in plasma osmolality did not correlate significantly with changes in aldosterone concentration. There were significant correlations between faecal moisture (%) and both vasopressin and aldosterone concentrations ( r = −0.72, p < 0.008; r = 0.80, p < 0.002, respectively). During the 12% dehydration, the Namib horses sustained higher plasma osmolalities and consequently vasopressin levels than the control horses. We conclude that plasma osmolality in conjunction with these two hormones plays a significant role in water homeostasis in horses.