Effect of acute dehydration on body fluid compartments in three rodent species, Rattus norvegicus, Acomys cahirinus and Meriones crassus

1. 1. After acute dehydration Rattus norvegicus, Acomys cahirinus and Meriones crassus lost 18·6, 12·8 and 7 per cent of their body weight. The decrease in body water (g/100 g animal) was 21·0, 11·2 and 3·3 (mean figures). 2. 2. The relative changes in plasma volume due to dehydration were 34, 4·9 and 11 per cent respectively. Extracellular fluid volume decreased by 32, 0 and 18 per cent. 3. 3. T-1824 half-life in the blood system decreased during dehydration in R. norvegicus and M. crassus. In A. cahirinus T _{1 2} increased. 4. 4. Sources of water loss during dehydration and possibility of capillary permeability changes are discussed.