Physiological Adaptations to Body-Water Excesses in Rats

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Abstract
Adaptations were induced by repetitions of water admns. Urine was collected from rats taped to boards. Modifications were manifested in prompter and faster water excretion, less and more dilute Cl excretion, and smaller decrease of colonic temp. during the water diuresis. Distilled water induced the adaptation in only 1 treatment with 6 doses of 5% of the body wt. by stomach, or in 1 injn. of 12% intraperitoneally. Admn. of water by either route also induced partial adaptation to water excess given by the other route. The adaptation disappeared after a rest period of 3 weeks; readaptation thereafter could be induced in certain instances. Adrenal glands showed no hypertrophy; in their absence no water diuresis was obtained. Convulsions and death from a particular body water excess were no more frequent after adaptation. Protection seemed to be in the faster excretion of a given quantity of administered water. By the technics used, new values were established for the ratios between rates of excretion and body water loads, max. rates being 10% of body wt. per hr. Evaporative and fecal losses were unmodified by water excesses.

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