Adrenalectomy potentiates drinking induced by renal artery constriction

We have tested the hypothesis that the dipsogenic response to an increase in the circulating angiotensin level in the rat is mediated via release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla. Increases in circulating angiotensin levels were induced by unilateral renal artery constriction in animals which were uninephrectomized and/or adrenalectomized, twenty four hours previously. The dipsogenic response to renal artery constriction was not attenuated by prior adrenalectomy--there was, in fact, a slight potentiation. Adrenalectomy also potentiated the dipsogenic response to injection of hypersomotic saline. We conclude that drinking following renal artery constriction is not mediated by release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla.