The effects of stomach loads of hypertonic NaCl on thyroidectomized prepubescent rats

Prepubescent male and female rats (N = 56) were surgically thyroidectomized and given stomach loads of .9% or 6.0% NaCl. The 6.0% NaCl, thyroidectomized S s responded by decreasing food intake and losing weight 24 hours after loading. Normal S s did not, and no sex difference was found. The .9% NaCl thyroidectomized S s drank significantly less than the normals. The results were interpreted in terms of thyroid hormone activity which affects renal function.