The Effect of Hypovolemia on Drinking in Rats With Lateral Hypothalamic Damage.

Abstract

Summary Lesions in the lateral hypo-thalamus of rats led to impaired drinking responses to acute hyperosmolarity produced by 1 M NaCl injected subcutaneously and to acute hypovolemia produced by subcutaneous injection of 10% polyethylene glycol solution. Since recovered laterals drink while eating dry food, it was suggested that the lesions may disrupt structures mediating thirst arising from such stimula as hyper-osmolariy and hypovolemia, but leave intact structures mediating drinking in response to peripheral stimuli such as dry mouth. Other evidence was presented which suggests that the renal aspects of osmo- and volume regulation are not impaired by the lesions.