DO RATS THRIVE WHEN DRINKING SEA WATER?

Abstract

Albino rats survived slightly longer, while losing the same amt. of body water, when allowed to drink sea water than when denied all water. Inclination and ability to ingest and metabolize sea water varied among individuals. The conc. of chloride in urine was in some individuals greater than that in the sea water. These high concs. do not occur in man or dog or marine mammals. The rats gained water from ingestion. of sea water and subsequent excretion of its'' salts, more slowly than they lost it by evaporation. Half sea water, or equivalent soln. of NaCl, allowed indefinite maintenance of body wt. in rats, with augmented turnovers of water and salt. Maintenance of water content was not favored by progressive increases in the salt conc. of drinking water. Recovery from dehydration as a result of previous water privation did not occur when sea water or equivalent conc. of NaCl was allowed. When fresh water was given the corresponding recovery required several days'' time.