Dehydration-induced sodium appetite in rats

The effect of 24 hr water deprivation on Na balance was studied in rats. Under baseline conditions, the animals had free access to food and water. During water deprivation, Na excretion was increased, Na intake (i.e., food intake) was decreased and Na deficits of 0.8–1.0 mmol were incurred. During the 24 hr period immediately following the deprivation period when water was returned, Na excretion was decreased and Na balance was restored to baseline or pre-deprivation level. In a second series of experiments, under baseline conditions, the animals had free access to food, water and 0.5 M NaCl. During water deprivation with NaCl solution withheld, Na excretion was not changed relative to baseline but Na deficits of 0.8–1.0 mmol were incurred due to decreased Na intake. During the 24 hr period immediately following deprivation when both water and NaCl solution were returned, intake of the hypertonic NaCl solution was increased and Na balance was restored. In a third series of experiments, under baseline conditions, the animals had free access to food, water, 0.5 M NaCl, 0.5 M KCl, 0.25 M of MgCl2 and 0.25 M CaCl2. During the 24 hr period following water deprivation and also the withholding of the electrolyte solutions, the appetite induced was predominantly for NaCl. The results suggest that the Na appetite observed subsequent to a period of water deprivation may be due to Na deficiency.