WATER EXCHANGE IN RATS EXPOSED TO COLD, HYPOXIA, AND BOTH COMBINED

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 47  (6) , 600-607
Abstract
Male rats were exposed chronically to cold (5.degree. C air), hypoxia (12% O2 in N) and both combined. Intakes of water and food, as well as urinary excretion, were measured during a 5-day pretreatment control period and throughout the first 3 wk of the treatment period. Regression analysis of water intake on urine output revealed that, at a given water intake, all 3 treated groups excreted significantly more urine than controls. No significant differences occurred among treated groups. Serum osmolalities of all 3 treated groups, measured at the end of the 48-day treatment period, were elevated significantly above the level of the control group. All treated groups also manifested a thirst immediately following return to the control environment (26.degree. C, 20.9% O2). Water intakes of all 3 treated groups were significantly greater than that of the control group during the first 2 h after return to the control environment. Thus, the 3 treated groups appeared to be dehydrated relative to the control group. The effect of combined cold (5.degree. C) and hypoxia (12% O2) on water exchange may not be a summation of that occurring separately during cold and hypoxia. The factors inducing dehydration in cold and hypoxia are apparently related to increased evaporative water loss and to alterations in thirst and renal mechanisms.

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