Preoptic recess lesions, body fluid compartments, and the renin-aldosterone system

The effects of electrolytic ablation of the periventricular tissue surrounding the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) of the rat brain on body fluid distribution and the renin-aldosterone system were determined. Rats underwent either ablation of AV3V periventricular tissue or control surgeries. After recovery, animals were implanted with femoral arterial and jugular venous catheters, and sodium space and plasma volume were measured by calculating the dilution of intravenous injections of 22Na- and 125I-labeled serum albumin, respectively. Total body water was determined in separate groups of rats by desiccation. Other animals with AV3V lesions and control rats were used to measure urinary sodium excretion and plasma renin (Prenin) and aldosterone (Paldo) concentrations while volume replete and after volume depletion. Animals with AV3V lesions had expanded extracellular fluid volume and decreased plasma volume, but total body water was comparable with control-operated rats. Volume-replete and volume-depleted rats with AV3V lesions had significantly higher Prenin than control animals in similar volume states. Although Paldo was not different between groups in the volume-replete state, it was significantly greater in rats with AV3V lesions than in control animals after volume depletion. These data demonstrate that AV3V periventricular ablation results in chronic alterations in the normal body fluid distribution but does not diminish the rats' ability to increase Prenin and Paldo or decrease sodium excretion during volume depletion.