Adjustment of the Rat to 23-, 47-, and 71-Hour Water-Deprivation Schedules

Abstract

This experiment examined the adjustment of rats to three different schedules of water-deprivation. Three groups of animals were placed on either 23-hr. deprivation (1 hr. of water every day), 47-hr. deprivation (1 hr. of water every second day), or 71-hr. deprivation (1 hr. of water every third day) for an 18-day period. A non-deprived control group was also employed. Body weight, as well as weight gain and water intake during the time when water was available, were recorded and treated as measures of adjustment. The results showed that rats adjust to the 23-hr. schedule in 2 to 3 days and to the 47-hr. schedule in 10 to 12 days. Animals on the 71-hr. schedule approached, but did not reach, adjustment; however, projection of the weight and intake trends for these Ss suggested that rats can adjust to this schedule in 27 to 30 days.