Species differences in the effect of decreased CSF sodium concentration on salt appetite

During the course of evolution from the beginning of the Caenozoic period, the mammalian species have irradiated into increasingly diverse environments and these physical conditions have imposed powerful selection pressures on the systems of water and salt homeostasis. In the case of physiological actions of hormonal elements of the control systems, effects of antidiuretic hormone and aldosterone on water and salt conservation and of renin-angiotensin II on blood pressure and aldosterone secretion show a general similarity across mammalian species. However, evidence is accruing that there may be large species variation in the vectors of physical, chemical and hormonal changes of the milieu which cause water and salt intake. In the sheep, physiological degree of reduction of CSF [Na] produced by IVT infusion of various hypertonic or isotonic saccharide solutions has a powerful stimulating effect on salt appetite of both Na replete and Na deficient animals. Increasing CSF [Na] reduces appetite. The 0.7 M mannitol CSF infusions initially stimulated thirst but eventually depressed it, presumably due to reduction of CSF [Na]. By contrast, in wild rabbits infusion of 0.9 M mannitol CSF for 2 days at 17 microliter/h caused a large reduction of water intake, a diuresis and no significant increase in salt intake. In laboratory white rats, 0.7 M mannitol CSF infusion at 10 microliter/h for 4 days by Alzet pump, did not increase salt appetite though the infusion was calculated to produce moderate reduction of CSF [Na]. It would appear that there may be significant species differences in effect of reduced CSF [Na] on salt appetite.