Water intake after stomach loads of NaCl in 30-, 40-, and 50-day-old Mongolian gerbils

Ninety Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), 15 male and 15 female in each of three age groups (30-, 40-, and 50-day-old), were stomach loaded with either water, 6% NaCl, or 12% NaCl (wt./vol.). No differences were observed in fluid intake or in body weight 24 hours after the load. These data were totally unlike the findings in rats. The lack of intergroup differences were probably attributable to the gerbil's unusual adrenal and kidney structure and hormonal controls.