Thermal dehydration-induced thirst in rats: role of body temperature

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to study the possible role of hyperthermia in the thirst associated with thermal dehydration. Rats were exposed to 40 degrees C for 4 h and then allowed access to water at different times after they were transferred to 25 degrees C. Delaying the time prior to allowing the rats to drink did not significantly alter either water intake or percent rehydration even though core temperature decreased during the first 1.5 h after removal from the heat. Exposing thermally dehydrated rats to 5 degrees C for 30 min prior to allowing them access to water also failed to significantly affect water intake or percent rehydration. Thermally dehydrated rats allowed to drink while remaining in the heat did not show a significant increase in water intake during the first hour or percent rehydration over rats drinking at 25 degrees C. Nondehydrated rats did show significant increases in water intake and percent rehydration when allowed to drink in the heat. Hyperthermia does not play a role in drinking in thermally dehydrated rats but can stimulate drinking in water-replete rats.