Corticotropin-releasing factor enhances sodium and water intake/excretion in rabbits

Sodium and water intake and excretion of wild rabbits was studied during intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). Icv infusion of 200 and 600 pmol/h for 22 h induced changes in the ingestive and general behavior of animals. Increased consumption of 0.5 M NaCl solution was observed during the day of infusion, accompanied by increased sodium excretion, and food intake was decreased. The rabbits maintained the high sodium turnover, together with a high water turnover, for 2-3 days after the icv infusion stopped. Icv infusion of CRF induced strange behaviour in wild rabbits, they appeared to react with fright to normal daily events around them. The strange behaviour started about two hours after the beginning of icv infusion and disappeared immediately after the infusion stopped. On the basis of present and earlier observations, that systemic administration of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and adrenal steroid hormones induce increased sodium turnover, it is proposed that changes in the sodium and water metabolism might constitute part of the general stress reaction of the body.