Calcium deprivation increases NaCl intake of Fischer-344 rats

Fischer-344 rats fed Ca2(+)-deficient diet for 63 days increased intake of 0.3 M NaCl solution from control levels of approximately 8 ml/day to greater than 60 ml/day. During the same period, rats fed Na(+)-deficient diet drank approximately 11 ml/day. These results indicate that Fischer-344 rats, which generally spurn NaCl, drink large amounts of it when Ca2+ deprived.