Consumption of solutions containing sodium chloride is enhanced in female oxytocin-deficient mice.
Intact and ovariectomized oxytocin (OT)-deficient (OT-/-) and wild-type (OT+/+) mice were tested for consumption of 0.5 M NaCl solution or tap water in a 2-bottle choice test. During 3 days of acclimation, voluntary ingestion of NaCl was equal between genotypes. After overnight fluid deprivation, intact OT-/- mice ingested 2 times more NaCl solution than OT+/+ mice in the 6th hr, but not the 1st hr, after reintroduction of fluid. Ovariectomized mice consumed less than intact mice after overnight fluid deprivation. When a 0.2 M NaCl solution was administered for 6 days in ovariectomized mice, OT-/- mice voluntarily consumed greater amounts than OT+/+ mice. After overnight fluid deprivation, consumption by OT-/- mice was 3 times that of OT+/+ mice at 1 hr and 2-fold greater after 6 hr. Enhanced intake of NaCl-containing solutions in female OT-/- mice suggests that central OT may be an important inhibitor of sodium consumption.
Amico
Janet A
JA
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA. jamico@pitt.edu
Mantella
Rose C
RC
Vollmer
Regis R
RR
D000818:Animals; D004327:Drinking Behavior; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000172:deficiency*; D012965:Sodium Chloride
D012965:Sodium Chloride; D010121:Oxytocin