Potential secretory activity of salivary glands and electrolyte concentrations in the saliva of two rodent species during heat acclimatization

1. 1. The electrolyte concentrations and the potential secretory ability of the salivary glands were studied in Psammomys obesus (a diurnal desert species) and Rattus norvegicus during heat acclimatization. 2. 2. P. obesus had a larger potential secretory ability than the rat. A decrease in rate of secretion on days 2 and 5 was measured in P. obesus but not in the rat. 3. 3. After 2 days of heat exposure, the sodium and chloride concentration increased in R. norvegicus, whereas there was no change in the saliva of P. obesus. 4. 4. It was concluded that the desert species (P. obesus) is able to conserve water, while in the laboratory rat, evaporative cooling has to take priority.