[Water metabolism in monkeys during 14-day anti-orthostatic hypokinesia]

Water balance parameters were measured in hypokinetic rhesus monkeys using tritiated water. During exposure the water content decreased by 18.4%, with 11.3% lost within the first 7 days. The rate of water renovation measured with respect to H3 half-life was decreased by a factor of 1.5 during the first week and increased by 10% during the second week, as compared to the pretest value. Daily water losses diminished by 30% during the first week and approached the pretest level during the second week. These findings are indicative of three phases in the time-course variations of water balance during head-down tilt.