Effect of Water Deprivation and Injections of Hypertonic Saline on the Activity of Rats

Abstract

Activity was measured in 5 independent groups of 10 rats assigned to each of 4 conditions, water deprived in wheels and stationary cages, saline injected in wheels and stationary cages. A significant increase in wheel running but not in stationary cage activity followed deprivation. Injections of hypertonic saline resulted in a significant decrease in wheel running and stationary cage activity. Three-hour cumulative water intake increased as an increasing function of hr. of water deprivation and amount of saline injected. While saline injections can induce water intake and facilitate instrumental responding, they do not affect activity in the same manner as water deprivation.